FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
DEC Ii PI :59 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 17 provides: 
Section 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and 
technology, arts, culture and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, 
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and 
development. 
After participating in 20 Summer Olympic Games, the Philippines has only managed to 
win two silver medals and seven bronze medals. The nation is still waiting for its first gold 
medal. The performance in the Olympic Games is considered as the best measure of the athletic 
skill of a nation. The state of Philippine sports was not always this bad. The Philippines placed 
second in the 1954 and 1958 Asian Games. In the 2010 Asian Games, however, the country only 
managed to come in at 19th place, one spot worse than its 18th place showing in 2006. 
With the manner sports programs are facilitated in the country, those who are well-off are 
the ones who have access to better inst1'llction, training, and facilities. In a developing country 
like the Philippines, most live below the poverty level so more pressing problems prevent them 
from pursuing any interest they have in sports. There is only the annual basketball liga in 
different barangays which is the highlight of the sports activities for most 1'llral communities. 
This bill seeks to establish a provincial sports complex in every province to tap the 
potential for athletic Sllccess of marginalized sectors in far flung areas, and to create a culture of 
love for sport. A sports complex with the proper facilities can inspire and attract more of the 
general public to engage in sports. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATI;., 
S. No. 
3~72 
DEC 13 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
P 1 :59 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING PROVINCIAL SPORTS COMPLEXES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Provincial Sports Complex 
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Actof2012." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to the Constitution, the State shall give 
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priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports to foster patriotism and 
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nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. 
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Further, the Constitution provides that the State shall promote physical education and 
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encourage sports programs, league competitions and amateur spOlis, including training for 
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international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the 
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development ofa healthy and alert citizenry. 
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To this end, the government shall undertake to improve the facilities of our athletes in the 
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entire country. 
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SECTION 3. Provincial Sports Complex. - A sports complex shall be constructed in 
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every province within the next ten (10) years. Within the first year from the effectivity of this 
IS 
Act, the Philippine Sports Commission, in coordination with the governor of every province, 
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shall determine whether an existing government sports facility in the province can be improved 
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and considered as the provincial sports complex. If no such facility exists, then a new complex 
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shall be erected. The location, size, and design shall also be determined within the same period. 
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SECTION 4. Sporlsfacilities. - Every Provincial Sports Complex shall have facilities for 
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the following sports: 
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(a) Archery; 
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(b) Athletics; 
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(c) Billiards; 
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(d) Bowling; 
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(e) Boxing; 
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(1) Taekwondo; 
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(g) Swimming; 
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(h) Weightlifting; 
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(i) Wrestling; and 
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G) Wushu. 
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The Philippine Sports Commission, in coordination with the governor, shall include 
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facilities for two (2) other sports that arc most popular in that province and are not included in 
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the list. 
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SECTION 5. Role of the Philippine Sports Commission. -
The Philippine Sports 
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Commission shall be the lead agency in the construction of these provincial sports complexes 
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and shall administer their operations, in cooperation with the provincial local govel11ments. The 
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Commission shall also issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act within six (6) 
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months fi'om its effectivity. 
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SECTION 6. Funding. -
An initial amount of Two Hundred Fifty Million Pesos 
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(P250,000,000.OO) shall be appropriated for this program in the budget of the Philippine Sports 
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Commission for its first year of implementation. Thereafter, such amounts as are necessary for 
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the implementation of this Act shall be taken out of the regular appropriations of the Philippine 
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Sports Commission. 
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• 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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