Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7330

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the State
shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league
competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international
competitions, to foster self-discipline, team work, and excellence for the
development ofa healthy and alert citizenry” and “all educational institutions shall
undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in cooperation with
athletic clubs and other sectors.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) posits that the sporting success of
a nation is anchored on its reserve talent. “The success of the elite athletes
program depends largely on grassroots development. If we strengthen grassroots
sports, we strengthen the prospects of elite sport!.”

This bill seeks to develop a grassroots sports program in the primary and
secondary level by institutionalizing varsity teams in schools,

Through this initiative, not only are we instilling the values of
sportsmanship and camaraderie in our young athletes but we are also paving the
way towards achieving the country's first gold Olympic medal.

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

LFRED VARGAS

* Giongco, Nick. (2017). “Grassroots is key ~ Ramirez.” Manila Bulletin. [Retrieved
from https://sports.mb.com.ph/2017/10/11/grassroots-is-key-ramirez/ on 12
February 2018.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES .
Quezon City, Philippines

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 7330

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING SPORTS VARSITY TEAMS IN ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Sports Varsity
Teams in Basic Education Act.”

SEC. 2, Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league
competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international
competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the
development of a healthy and alert citizenry.

To this end, the State shall provide opportunities for optimal and long-term
development of Filipino athletes by expanding the base of student athletes,
increasing the time and frequency for their early exposure, training and
competition through the institutionalization of sports varsity teams in the basic
education cycle.

SEC. 3. Institutionalization of Sports Varsity Teams. - To ensure the
optimal and long term development of Filipino athletes, elementary and secondary
schools, both public and private, shall institutionalize sports varsity teams.

There shall at least be a varsity team for athletics for every schools as
athletics forms the base for other sports. The school shall expand the number of
sport events to cover gradually according to the school's after-school sports
program, interests of students, coaches and the community.

Sports events that shall be considered in the establishment of varsity teams
in elementary and secondary levels shall include, but not limited to, the following:

1. Archery
2. Arnis
3. Badminton


4, Baseball
5. Basketball

6. Boxing

7. Chess

8. Football

9. Gymnastics
10. Sepak Takraw
11. Soft Ball

12. Swimming
13, Table Tennis
14. Taekwondo
15, Tennis

16. Vollyeball

17. Billiards

18. Futsal

19. Wrestling
20. Wushu

21, Aerobics Gymnastics
22. Dance Sports
23. Pencak Silat
24. Basketball 3x3

The establishment of varsity teams in traditional and indigenous games,
dances, and sports shall also be encouraged.

SEC. 4. Organization of Sports Varsity Team. - The organization of sports
varsity teams shall consider the following:

a. Presence of competent and committed teacher-coaches;
b. Availability of facilities and equipment;

c. Administrative support; and

d. Support of the community.

SEC. 5. Identification of Athletes. - The Department of Education (DepEd)
shall provide a sports varsity selection and admission system.

All K-12 learners who are officially enrolled in Elementary, Junior High
School, Senior High School, Open High School, and Alternative Learning Systems,
especially those who participate in the after-school sports program (ASSP) and
who can meet the following requirements can join their school's sports varsity
teams:

a. Must have passed the physical fitness tests and skill tests;
b. With parental consent; and
c. In good academic standing.

SEC. 6, Selection and Deployment of Competent Coaches. - It shall be the
responsibility of the school administration to secure the services of competent
coaches. Teachers, including sports coordinator, trained in sports coaching are the
priority in the selection of coaches.


Former outstanding athletes from among the parents or community
residents may be tapped to serve as volunteer coaches in the sports where they
excel and gained national or international recognition. Likewise, students and
graduates of the Sports Track in the Senior High School (SHS) shall be tapped to
provide assistance in the training of Sports Varsity Teams.

The Sports Varsity Teams may also serve as a venue for the practicum
and/or immersion of students in the Sports Track.

SEC. 7. Recognition and Training of Coaches. - DepEd shall create a
mechanism to provide incentives and recognition to volunteer coaches.

DepEd, in consultation with the Philippine Sports Commission, National
Sports Associations, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the private sector shall
develop programs to train varsity coaches to become certified trainers based on
international standards.

SEC. 8. Time and Frequency of Training. - The implementing school has
the discretion to determine the time and frequency of training of the varsity teams,
provided that the trainings are conducted after the regular class hours and shall
not interfere with instructionally-relevant activities pursuant to engaging students
in learning the lessons of the curriculum.

SEC. 9. More Competition. - Aside for the calendar of regular sports
competitions conducted by the DepEd, private and public schools shall organize
varsity match with neighboring schools. A league may be composed of public and
private schools.

Furthermore, elementary and secondary school may partner with existing
stadiums and sports centers in the community to host varsity matches.

SEC. 10. Equipment for Sports Varsity. - It shall be the responsibility of
the school administration to secure the equipment necessary to sustain the
training of sports varsity teams. Such equipment may be sourced from regular
budget and extra-budgetary means such as donations from the community,

The DepEd, in consultation with the Philippine Sports Commission, shall be
responsible for maintaining a databank of standard facilities and equipment their
technical specifications suppliers and indicative prices for every sport covered in
international competitions.

SEC. 11. Performance Profiling of Student Athletes. - There shall be a
school-based profiling of student athletes. In case of a student athlete's transfer to
another school, it is the responsibility of the former coaches to transmit the
student's athletic profile to the new school to ensure proper recognition and
continuous training and development. The student athlete's profile shall show
results of previous competitions and improvement in clocking in the case of
measurable sports.


All elementary and secondary schools shall register and update their
student athletes’ profile from time to time.

SEC. 12. Registry of Student Athletes. - DepEd shall maintain a registry of
student athletes and shall make this accessible to colleges and universities,
Philippine Sports Commission, National Sports Associations, Philippine Olympic
Committee, and other private sport groups and organizations and shall be uses
solely for identification of potential inclusion to varsity teams in college and
universities or in the case of the Philippine Sports Commission, selection of
national athletes who can represent the Philippines in international sporting
events.

SEC. 13. Incentives. - Recognitions and incentives shall be awarded to
school coaches and school heads for their support to the organization and
registration of their school varsity teams.

Teacher-coaches shall be given service credits and/or additional
compensation or overtime pay for work performed in excess of eight (8) hours in
accordance with the law.

SEC. 14. Appropriations. - The funds necessary for the institutionalization
of sports varsity teams, especially the provision of equipment, in elementary and
secondary schools, shall come from the regular appropriation of DepEd.

SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Education and the Chairperson of
the Philippine Sports Commission, upon consultation with relevant stakeholders,
shall promulgate the rules and regulations needed for the implementation of this
Act.

SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision
of this bill is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions
hereof shall remain in force.

SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules,
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 18. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen days after publication
in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,