Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PRESERVING AND PROMOTING THE INDIGENOUS GAMES 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Culture shapes values. In this digital era, Filipino children spend most 
of their time with game consoles, either at home or in internet cafés, in 
contrast with the kids of the past who would spend their leisure time 
interacting with other children, playing the traditional street games. These 
games include patintero, tumbang preso, siato, taguan pung, and tumbang 
preso, to name a few. 
These indigenous games have shaped generations of Filipinos and 
have imparted values of teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. It has 
been part of our childhood and our cultural heritage. 
This proposed measure seeks to preserve indigenous games to ensure 
that future generations of Filipinos can still enjoy them. This bill was approved 
by the House of Representatives on third and final reading and was 
transmitted to the Senate, but failed to be passed into a law due to time 
constraints. We seek to revive the efforts on making this worthwhile advocacy 
become law. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
September 6, 2022
11:09 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PRESERVING AND PROMOTING THE INDIGENOUS GAMES 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — Article II, Section 22 of the 1987 
Philippine 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 to protect the exercise 
of the indigenous peoples' rights which include the maintenance, control, and 
development of their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional 
expression, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and traditional games, 
among others. 
Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates, it is incumbent upon the State to lay 
down specific policy directives to promote the interests of our indigenous 
peoples, to strengthen our cultural heritage and our historical roots. To 
further this policy, the State shall take the necessary steps to preserve the 
indigenous peoples' games which serve as the best avenue for self-expression, 
and for promoting peace, harmony, goodwill, and camaraderie among them. 
SECTION 3. Indigenous Games. – Indigenous games refer to the traditional 
sports and games or activities inherent to the different indigenous cultural 
communities reflecting their rich cultural heritage, traditions or customs 
handed down from generation to generation such as, but not limited to, dug-
out, canoe races, precision-around obstacles or rapids, supok or sumpit, 
sungka, kadang-kadang, tumbang preso, piko, and sepak takraw and such 
other games distinct with the indigenous communities. 
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SECTION 4. Preservation of Indigenous Games. — The National 
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in coordination with the 
Department of Education (DepEd), shall initiate measures to preserve 
indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion of games as part of 
the curriculum in the basic education system of our schools, production of 
documentary or other useful means, and the conduct of regular 
demonstration of such games in national events and in appropriate school 
activities. 
 
The NCCA shall likewise conduct research on the various sports traditionally 
played by different indigenous groups within the region to ensure the 
preservation and development of these games. 
 
SECTION 5. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Games. The 
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Philippine 
Olympic Committee (POC), and the local government units (LGUs) shall 
conduct annual regional and national indigenous sports competitions. 
 
The host LGU shall have the prerogative to choose which sports events shall 
be included in the regional and national Indigenous sports competitions. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The NCCA and the 
DepEd as the lead agencies, in coordination with the PSC, POC and LGUs, 
shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this 
Act within sixty (60) days after its effectivity. 
 
SECTION 7. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 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,