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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 3558

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Constitution mandates the State to promote physical education and
support sports programs that build discipline, resilience, and excellence. Yet decades later,
Fi

pino athletes continue to train under fragmented systems, with limited support and

inconsistent long-term planning.

In 2021, the world watched as Hidilyn Diaz lifted not only a barbell but an entire nation,
bringing home the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal. In 2024, Carlos Yulo soared to
double gold at the Paris Olympics. These victories are historic. But they were achieved despite

systemic limitations, not because of institutional strength.

‘The reality is clear: our athletes have the talent. What they need is a nation that fully
supports them.

This bill seeks to create a Department of Sports that will lead the development of
grassroots programs, unify national and local initiatives, and provide sustained support to both
amateur and elite athletes. By elevating sports to a full department, the government can ensure


consistent funding, strategic planning, and long-term vision. It will allow athletes to focus on

their training, knowing their country stands firmly behind them.

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

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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Republic of the Philippine:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 3998

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, DEFT ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Department of Sports
Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote and sustain

| education, and sports development in the country. As such, it shall maintain

and provide equal access to resources, services, and facilities related to sports to all Filipinos
to foster and promote health and physical fitness, self-discipline, teamwork, excellence, peace
and camaraderie, youth development, and people empowerment through sports.

It shall also encourage wider participation of all sectors, including the government and
private sector, in amateur sports promotion and development and shall be led by a single,

unified, and integrated national sports policy-making body.

ARTICLE II
DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS:


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SEC. 3. Creation of the Department of Sports. — There is hereby created the
Department of Sports, hereinafter referred to as the Department.

SEC. 4, Mandate. - The Department shall be the primary policy-making, planning,
coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the
government that will conceptualize, develop, and promote the national sports program.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. — The Department shall exercise the following powers
and functions:

(a) Formulate, recommend, and implement policies and programs for integrated
national sports and sports for Athletes with Disabilities in coordination with the
Department of Health (DOH), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and
the Department of Education (DepEd), and local government units;

(b) Plan and conduct national sports competitions and establish and continually
strengthen a nationwide grassroots-based sports development program;

(c) Implement sports for early education based on functionality or practicality;

(d) Determine the sports to be prioritized by the government in regional and
international sports competitions taking into consideration the funds needed,
competitive opportunities for emerging and developing athlete, and chances of
winning;

(e) Oversee and support the participation of athletes in regional and international sports
competitions;

(0) Supervise and improve the standards of sports coaches and coaching staff;

(g) Facilitate research and development on sports science and sports medicine and
exercise the outputs therefrom in national sports programs;

(h) Prescribe criteria and standards for the recognition of all national sports associations

and exercise supervisory and visitorial powers over the same;

(i) Supplement government appropriations for sports promotion and development by
encouraging the private sector to contribute to the funding of the various programs
in the Department;

() Provide and supervise the completion of adequate and fully-equipped sports
facilities, centers, and complexes in strategic places across the country and regularly
revisit, inspect, and ensure the proper management and maintenance thereof,
excluding school or college-owned sports complexes;

(k) Enter into contracts pursuant to its functions and powers;


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10)

Acquire, own, possess, regulate, and dispose of any real or personal property
required or otherwise necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes of the
Department;

(m) Accept donations, gifts, bequests, and grants for the accomplishment of the

purposes of the Department;

(n) Exercise such other acts as are incident to or are appropriate and necessary in

SEC. 6. Compo:

connection with the creation of the Department.

ion of the Department. — The Department of Sports shall be headed

by a Secretary. The Department shall be composed of the Office of the Secretary, the offices

of the Undersecretaries, and the Assistant Secretaries.

SEC. 7. Secretary of Sports. — The Secretary shall be appointed by the President,

subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. The Secretary shall be appointed

by the President, subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. The Secretary
shall have the following functions:

a)

b)

°)

d

8)

Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire operations of the
Department and its attached agencies;

Establish and implement policies and standards for the efficient and economical
operation of the Department;

Coordinate with other government agencies, local government units, and public and
private interest groups on Department policies and initiatives;

Advice the President on its regulatory and legislative proposals as well as the
promulgation of executive and administrative orders pertaining to sports programs
and development;

Formulate rules and regulations, and exercise such other powers as may be required
to implement the objectives of this Act;

Organize the Department and provide it with such staff as may be necessary to

discharge its functions and responsibilities and those of various offices under it;

Perform such other tasks as may be provided by law or assigned by the President;

SEC. 8. Undersecretaries. — The Secretary shall be assisted by three (3)
Undersecretaries, who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the

Secretary: Provided, that one (1) of the Undersecretaries shall be a career officer coming from

ranks of existing government institution or office on sports or qualified individuals in the

private sector who actively supports the promotion and development of sports in the country.


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SEC. 9. Assistant Seeretaries. — The Secretary shall be assisted by three (3) Assistant
Secretaries who shall be career officers appointed by the President upon recommendation of
the Secretary.

SEC. 10. Regional Offices. — The Department shall be authorized to establish, operate,
and maintain a Regional Office in each of the administrative regions of the country as the need
arises. The regional office shall be headed by a Regional Director, who may be assisted by one
(1) Assistant Regional Director. The Regional Offices shall coordinate with regional offices of
other departments, other agencies, and local government units with respect to their local sports

programs.

. 11, Structure and Staffing Pattern. — The Department shall determine its
organizational structure and create new divisions or units as it may deem necessary and shall
appoint officers and employees of the Department in accordance with the Civil Service Law,
rules and regulations.

SEC. 12. Regular Bureaus, Divisions, and Offices. — The Department shall organize
bureaus, divisions, and offices in such manner as would best carry out the declared policies and
objectives enunciated herein and consistent with the provisions of civil service laws, rules, and
regulations. There shall be an administrative services bureau, which shall be primarily
responsible for providing services related to financial management, personnel, records,
supplies, and equipment, and a support services bureau, which shall be primarily responsible
for plans and programs formulation, research, electronic data processing (EDP) and system
management, public information and production, transportation, communication, and such

other functions and responsibilities as may be necessary and required by the Department.

SEC. 13. Specialized Bureaus. — There are hereby created two (2) specialized bureaus
under the Department: (a) the Amateur Sports Development Bureau; and (b) the International
Sports Development Bureau, both of which shall be headed by Deputy Executive Directors.

SEC. 14. Tax Exemption of Earnings from the Use of Sports F

encourage popular participation in amateur sports, no tax, charge, or fee of whatever nature or
any kind shall be levied on the use of sports facilities by the general public, individuals, or
public agencies or offices, or the earnings from the use thereof whether by public or private
entities, whether the tax or fee be on the user, owner, or operator of the sports facility.

SEC. 15. Tax Deduction or Exemption of Donations and Contributions. — All
donations and contributions to the Department in connection with its fund-raising projects and
its continuing sports development programs shall be exempt from the donor’s taxes and shall

be deductible in full in the computation of the taxable net income of the donor. Donations and


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contributions to the various national sports certified by the Department to be pursuant to the
development of sports in the country shall likewise be exempt from the payment of the donor's
and estate taxes and shall be deductible in full in computing the taxable net income of the
donor.

SEC. 16. Sports Delegations. — The Department and its delegation or representatives
to any international sports competitions, convention, conference, meeting, and events, and
athletes, coaches, and other officials to any international competition shall be exempt from the
payment of travel tax, airport tax, and any other related taxes or fees now or hereafter imposed

by law or regulation.

SE

. 17. Presidential Land Grant. — The provisions of any existing law to the
contrary notwithstanding the President may, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), grant by donation, sale, lease,
usufruct, or otherwise to the Department portions of the land of the public domain as may be
necessary for the establishment of regional training centers in all the regions for the country
and the accomplishment of any of its purposes.

SEC. 18. Sports Facilities. - The ownership, administration, and full control of all
existing sports facilities, including land, buildings, and equipment, owned by the national
government as well as those owned by government-funded foundations, associations, and
entities except liabilities, shall be transferred to the Department. Provided, That, the sports
facilities owned by the local government units, state colleges and universities, or public schools
shall remain with the said institutions or entitics. The Department shall establish, organize,
manage, and maintain the National Sports Training Center as may be authorized by law.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 14 of this Act, in the event that sports
‘equipment and facilities of the Department are contracted out for use by private entities, all
rental income from the sports equipment and facilities owned and operated by the Department
shall be remitted directly to the Department to be used exclusively for the operation and
maintenance of said equipment and facilities.

SEC. 19. Assistance by the

any government entity for assistance in the performance of its functions and duties. All heads

vernment Enti

~ The Department may call upon

of departments, agencies, corporations, and offices of the government are hereby enjoined to
render full assistance and cooperation to the Department to ensure the attainment of its
objectives and the success of the national sports development program.

SEC. 20. Integration of the Philippine Sports Commission. — The Philippine Sports
Commission created and established under Republic Act 6847, together with its adjunct offices


and entities, shall be integrated with the Department of Sports within six (6) months from the

enactment of this law. All powers, functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Philippine
Sports Commission not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall continue to be
exercised and performed by the Department. Forthwith, the Philippine Sports Commission
shall conduct an inventory of its assets and liabilities and shall turn over the same together with
the inventory to the Department of Sports.

All programs, contracts, and projects of the Philippine Sports Commission, which are
inconsistent with the policies and provisions of this Act shall be terminated on or before six (6)
months from the enactment of this law. Provided, that contracts, programs, and projects which
cannot be unilaterally terminated shall remain in force and effect and the Department shall
negotiate for the soonest rescission of the contract or termination of the project or program for
a period earlier than what has been previously agreed upon.

SEC. 21. Coordination with Local Government Units. - The Department shall
develop a Local Sports Development Assistance Program, in coordination with LGUs, to

support grassroots programs, provide technical training, and co-fund sports infrastructure.

SEC. 22. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial of this Act
shall be sourced from any available funds of the National Treasury and is hereby appropriated
and authorized to be released for the organization of the Department and its initial operations.
Provided That, at least eighty percent (80%) of said annual appropriation and all of the national
sports development funds, as hereinafter provided, shall be disbursed for the national sports

program, particularly in support of the identification, recruitment, and training of athletes in
pre-regional, regional, national, and international competitions.

To finance the country’s integrated sports development program, including the holding
of the national games and all other sports competitions at all levels throughout the country as
well as to carry out well-planned preparations to sustain the complete needs of national and
development athletes during the country’s preparation and participation at international sports
competitions, such as, but not limited to the Olympics, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games,
Paralympics, Universiade or World University Games, and other international competitions
sanctioned by international sports institutions, federations, organizations, and associations,
thirty percent (30%) of the charity fund representing the proceeds of six (6) lottery draws per
annum of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices, taxes on horse races from ten (10) racing
days to be determined by the Philippine Racing Commission and the Department; five percent
(5%) of the gross income before taxes of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation;
and the proceeds from the sale of stamps as hereinafter shall be automatically remitted directly


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to the Department by the concemed entity and are hereby constituted as the National Sports
Development Fund. Further, the Philippine Postal Corporation is hereby authorized to print
paper and gold stamps which shall depict sporting event and such other motif as the Philippine
Postal Service Office and the Department may agree on, at the expense of the Department. Any
deficiency in the financial requirements of the Department for its national sports development
program shall be covered by an annual appropriation passed by Congress.

SEC. 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department shall, within
ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, issue the necessary rules and regulations to
implement the provisions hereof.

SEC. 24, Annual Report. — The Department shall, within ninety (90) days after the
end of every fiscal year, submit to Congress an annual report on its compliance with, or
accomplishments under this Act, together with its plans and recommendations to improve and
develop its capability to enforce the provisions of this Act, and a complete accounting of
transactions with respect to any funds received under this Act.

SEC. 25. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hercof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the reminder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.

SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. — Ail laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 27. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general circulation in the

Philippines.

Approved,