NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
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•a SEP 21 P5 20
SENATE
S. No. 1340
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Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS SPORTS AND GAMES OF THE
PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization 
(UNESCO) recognizes traditional sports and games (TSG) as an intangible cultural 
heritage that must be protected and promoted for future generations.1
Indigenous games refer to the traditional sports and games or activities 
inherent to the different indigenous cultural communities that reflect the rich cultural 
heritage, traditions, or customs handed down from generation to generation. These 
include Arnis, the Fihpino version of martial arts; Sipa, Palo-Sebo, Sungka, Luksong 
Tinik, Patintero, Siato, Tumbang Preso, among others.
Indigenous sports and games are an intangible cultural heritage that has 
become part of our way of life. They played a developmental role in the formative 
years of Filipino youth in the way they instilled the virtues of teamwork, resilience, 
and camaraderie, helped build character and refine social skills, and created an 
avenue for enjoyment.
1https;//en.unesco.org/themes/sport-and-anti-doping/traditional-sports-and-games


Unfortunately, the healthy lifestyle and values induced by indigenous sports 
and games upon the youth are now challenged by the predominance of consoles and 
gadgets that consume the time and attention of children. It is high time to combat the 
growing trend of young people spending endless hours on devices and mobile games; 
remind them to be physically active, and encourage them to explore the world outside.
In this regard, this bill seeks to protect and promote indigenous sports and 
games. The proposed measure tasks the National Commission for Culture and the 
Arts (NCCA) and other concerned government bodies to initiate measures to preserve 
the traditional games in the country, among others. The Phihppme Sports 
Commission (PSC) shall also be mandated to hold an armual regional and national 
indigenous sports competition.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
OREN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBUC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
^cnme
H SEP 21 P5 20
SENATE
S. No. 1340
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS SPORTS AND GAMES OF THE
PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shaU be known as the "Philippine Indigenous
2 
Games Preservation Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article II, Section 22 of the 1987 Constitution
4 
provides that the State shall recognize and promote the rights of indigenous cultural
5 
communities within the framework of national unity and development. Furthermore,
6 
Article 31.1 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
7 
enjoins all State signatories to take effective measures to recognize and protect the
8 
exercise of the indigenous peoples' rights, which include the maintenance and
9 
development of their culttual heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional
10 
expression, oral traditions, literature, designs, sports, and traditional games, among
11 
others.
12 
Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates, it is incmnbent upon the State to lay down
13 
specific pohcy directives to promote the interest of our indigenous peoples and
14 
strengthen our cultural heritage and historical roots. The State shall take the necessary
15 
steps to preserve the indigenous peoples' games which serve as an avenue of self-
16 
expression and promote peace, harmony, goodwill, and camaraderie among them.
17 
Sec. 3. Indigenous Games. - The term "indigenous games" refers to the
18 
traditional sports and games or activities inherent to the different indigenous cultural


1 
communities that reflect the rich cultural heritage, traditions, or customs handed
2 
down from generation to generation, such as tribal archery, blowpipe, sibat, dug-out
3 
canoe race, rock balancing, smnpit, sungka, patintero, tumbang preso, siato, and other
4 
games distinct to the indigenous communities.
5 
Sec. 4. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Games. - The Philippine Sports
6 
Commission (PSC), in coordination with the PhiUppine Olympic Committee (POC)
7 
and the local government units (LGUs), shall conduct annual regional and
8 
national indigenous sports competitions.
9 
The host LGU, in consultation with the concerned indigenous, shall have the
10 
prerogative to choose which sports shall be included in the regional and national
11 
indigenous sports competitions.
12 
Sec. 5. Other Means of Preserving the Indigenous Games - The National
13 
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Commission on
14 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the National Commission on Muslim Fihpinos (NCMF),
15 
in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on
16 
Higher Education (CHED), and the PhiUppine Information Agency (PIA), shall
17 
initiate measures to preserve indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion
18 
of games as part of the curriculum in the basic and higher education system of schools,
19 
the production of documentary or other similar means, and the conduct of regular
20 
demonstration of such games in the Palarong Pambansa, and in other national sports
21 
events and appropriate school activities.
22 
The NCCA shall likewise conduct research on the various sports traditionally
23 
played by different indigenous groups to ensure their preservation and development.
24 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The PSC and the POC, as the lead
25 
agencies, in coordination with the NCCA, NCIP, DepEd, CHED, PIA, and LGUS, shall
26 
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within
27 
sixty (60) days after its effectivity.
28 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is held invaUd
29 
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
30 
effect.


1 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules,
2 
and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Art are deemed
3 
amended, modified, or repealed accordingly.
4 
Sec. 9. EJfectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
5 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,