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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 4464

INTRODUCED BY HON. FAUSTINO MICHAEL CARLOS T. DY III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Prior to the rise of online games, Philippine indigenous games were a popular form of
recreation among Filipino children. There are about forty known traditional Filipino games,
and children were previously seen playing these mostly on the streets, if not indoors. Games
such as Sungka, Dama, and Cara-cruz are played indoors while Luksongtinik, Patintero, Piko,
and Tumbang Preso are played outdoors. These games provide excellent opportunities for
children to maximize the benefits of play across a wide variety of developmental domains,
making it holistic for learning, growth, and development.

Our Constitution recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities
within the framework of national unity and development, Furthermore, the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples enjoins all State signatories to take effective
measures to recognize and protect the exercise of the indigenous people’s rights such as
preservation and development of their cultural heritage and traditions, including traditional

games.

This bill seeks to promote the interest of our indigenous peoples, preserve their intangible
cultural heritage as a living heritage and help the Filipino people reconnect with their historical
roots through the preservation of the indigenous peoples’ games.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

FAUSTINO MICHAEL C, DY
sentative, Isabela 5‘ District



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4464

Introduced by Representative Faustino Michael T. Dy I!

AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS GAMES OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Philippine Indigenous
Games Preservation Act.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Article \l, Section 22 of the Constitution provides
that the State shall recognize and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities
within the framework of national unity and development. Furthermore, Article 31.1 of the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples enjoins all State
signatories to take effective measures to recognize and protect the exercise of the
indigenous peoples’ rights which include the maintenance, control, and development of
their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and expression, oral traditions, literatures,
designs, sports, and traditional games.

Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates, it is incumbent upon the State to lay down
specific policy directives to promote the interest of our indigenous peoples, preserve the
intangible cultural heritage as living heritage and help people connect with their historical
roots. The State shall take the necessary steps to preserve the indigenous peoples’
games which serve as the best avenue for their self-expression, and for promoting peace,
harmony, goodwill, and camaraderie among them.


SEC. 3. Indigenous Games. - The term “indigenous games’ refer to the traditional
sports and games distinctly connected and rooted in the traditions, customs, and
practices, and reflect the rich cultural heritage of the different indigenous cultural
communities or indigenous peoples, handed down from generation to generation such as
bunong braso, ginnuyudan, hilahang lubid, kadang-kadang, karera sa sako, luksong-tinik,
patintero, syato, unggoy-unggoyan. These include games played by the indigenous
communities, usually accompanied by indigenous materials and implements, in
observance of indigenous peoples’ rituals, celebration of cultural festivals, expression of
socialization, entertainment, and competition.

SEC. 4. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Sports Competitions. — The
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) shall, in coordination with the Philippine Olympic
Committee (POC), the National Commission on Indigenous Peopies (NCIP), and the
focal government units (LGUs), conduct annual regional and national indigenous sports
competitions.

The host LGU shail, in coordination and consultation with the concerned indigenous
cultural communities or indigenous peoples, identify which games or sports events shall
be included in the regional and national indigenous sports competitions.

SEC. 5. Other Means of Preserving the Indigenous Games.- The NCIP and the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) shall, in coordination with the
Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the
PSC, POC, LGUs, and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), initiate measures to
preserve indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion of indigenous games as
part of the curriculum and other appropriate school activities in the basic and higher
education system, the production of documentary and other materials on indigenous
games, and the conduct of regular demonstration of such games in the Palarong
Pambansa and in other national sports events.

The NCIP and the NCCA shall likewise conduct research on the various sports and
games traditionally played by different indigenous groups, in consultation with the
concerned indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples, to ensure the
preservation and continuity of the indigenous games.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act

shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
2


SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The PSC and the NCIP as the
lead agencies shall, in coordination with the POC, NCCA, DepEd, CHED, LGUs, and PIA,
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty
(60) days after its effectivity.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules,
and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed

amended, modified, or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,