TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
800
1^1 Senate
of li)e
25 AUG-4 PI :19
RliCtIViD BV
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS SPORTS AND GAMES OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 
recognizes traditional sports and games (TSG) as an intangible cultural heritage that 
must be protected and promoted for future generations.1
Indigenous games refer to the traditional sports and games or activities 
inherent to the different indigenous cultural communities that reflect the rich cultural 
heritage, traditions, or customs handed down from generation to generation. These 
inciude Amis, the Fiiipino version of martiai arts; Sipa, Palo-Sebo, Sungka, Luksong 
Tinik, Patintero, Siato, Tumbang Preso, among others.
Indigenous sports and games form an integral part of our intangible cultural 
heritage and way of life. These traditionai activities have long played a vital role in 
shaping the formative years of Filipino youth. They instill the values of teamwork, 
resilience, and camaraderie, build character, hone social skills, and provide a 
meaningful avenue for recreation and cultural expression.
Unfortunately, the healthy lifestyle and positive values once nurtured by 
indigenous sports and games are increasingly being overshadowed by the growing 
use of consoles and mobile devices. While technology offers its own set of benefits, it 
is important to strike a balance. We must encourage young people to stay physically
1https://en. unesco.org/themes/sport-and-anti-doping/traditional-sports-and-games
1


active, engage in real-world social interactions, and explore the richness of our cultural 
and natural environment.
In this regard, this bill seeks to protect and promote indigenous sports and 
games. The proposed measure tasks the National Commission for Culture and the Arts 
(NCCA) and other concerned government bodies to initiate measures to preserve the 
traditional games in the country, among others. The Philippine Sports Commission 
(PSC) shall also be mandated to hold an annual regional and national indigenous 
sports competition.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
.t)REN LEGARDA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
800
S. No.
^ClUUf 
of tl)’’
25 AUG-4 P1 :19
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS SPORTS AND GAMES OF THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Indigenous
2 
Games Preservation Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article II, Section 22 of the 1987 Constitution
4 
provides that the State shall recognize and promote the rights of indigenous cultural
5 
communities within the framework of national unity and development. Furthermore,
6 
Article 31.1 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
7 
enjoins all State signatories to take effective measures to recognize and protect the
8 
exercise of the indigenous peoples' rights, which include the maintenance and
9 
development of their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional
10 
expression, oral traditions, literature, designs, sports, and traditional games, among
11 
others.
12 
Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates, it is incumbent upon the State to lay down
13 
specific policy directives to promote the interest of our indigenous peoples and
14 
strengthen our cultural heritage and historical roots. The State shall take the necessary
15 
steps to preserve the indigenous peoples' games which serve as an avenue of self-
16 
expression and promote peace, harmony, goodwill, and camaraderie among them.
17 
Sec. 3. Indigenous Games. - The term "indigenous games" refers to the
18 
traditional sports and games or activities inherent to the different indigenous cultural
19 
communities that reflect the rich cultural heritage, traditions, or customs handed down


1 
from generation to generation, such as tribal archery, blowpipe, sibat, dug-out canoe
2 
race, rock balancing, sumpit, sungka, patintero, tumbang preso, siato, and other
3 
games distinct to the indigenous communities.
4 
Sec. 4. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Games. - The Philippine Sports
5 
Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and
6 
the local government units (LCDs), shall conduct annual regional and national
7 
indigenous sports competitions.
8 
The host LGU, in consultation with the concerned indigenous, shall have the
9 
prerogative to choose which sports shall be included in the regional and national
10 
indigenous sports competitions.
11 
Sec. 5. Other Means of Preserving the Indigenous Games - The National
12 
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Commission on Indigenous
13 
Peoples (NCIP), the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), in coordination
14 
with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education
15 
(CHED), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), shall initiate measures to
16 
preserve indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion of games as part of
17 
the curriculum in the basic and higher education system of schools, the production of
18 
documentary or other similar means, and the conduct of regular demonstration of
19 
such games in the Palarong Pambansa, and in other national sports events and
20 
appropriate school activities.
21 
The NCCA shall likewise conduct research on the various sports traditionally
22 
played by different indigenous groups to ensure their preservation and development.
23 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The PSC and the POC, as the
24 
lead agencies, in coordination with the NCCA, NCIP, DepEd, CHED, PIA, and LGUS,
25 
shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act
26 
within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.
27 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid
28 
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
29 
effect.
30 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees,
31 
rules, and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Art are
32 
deemed amended, modified, or repealed accordingly.


1 
Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,