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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. No. 
3336 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 17 provides: 
Section 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and 
technology, arts, culture and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, 
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and 
development. 
An increasing number of children and adolescents participate in organized sports in the 
each year. Still more participate in informal recreational activities. While sports participation 
gives a lot of physical and social benefits, it also carries the risk of sports-related injuries. In the 
United States, for example, based on a 2002 report by the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 1.9 
million children under 15 were treated in emergency departments the year before for sports-
related injuries. 
Injuries sustained m spOliing events are the most common cause of musculoskeletal 
injuries in children treated in emergency departments. They are also the single most common 
cause of injury-related primary care office visits. 
This bill seeks to protect young athletes by providing measures to protect them or at least 
minimize the occurrence of sports related injuries. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
S. NOSE_N_A=3~-=-~ -=3~6 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO REQUIRE SPORTS RELATED INJURY PREVENTION 
AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION I. Short Tille. - This Act shall be known as the "Sports Related Injury 
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Prevention and Treatment Act of 2012." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies and Objectives. - Pursuant to Article 2, Sec. 17 of 
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the Constitution, the State shall give priority to education, science and teclmology, arts, culture 
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and spOJis to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total 
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human liberation and development. 
lOIn addition to this, Article 10, Section 19, paragraph I provides that the State shall 
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promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions and amateur 
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sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and 
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excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry. 
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Towards this end, it is the view of the Legislature that ensuring the safety of student 
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athletes should be a priority for all athletic programs. 
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SECTION 3. D~finition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as 
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follows: 
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(a) "Athletic program" shall mean an athletic program in any educational institution, be it 
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public 01' private, 01' primary, secondary or teliiary. 
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(b) "Student athlete" means any student who participates in an athletic program of an 
educational institution, and includes student athletes who participate in basketball, football or 
any other sport. 
SECTION 4. Requirement for Prevention and Treatment Programs in Organized 
Sports.- All educational institutions shall have a program for the prevention and treatment o[ 
sports-related injuries. 
SECTION 5. Prevention Programs. -
Prevention programs shall include but not be 
limited to the following. -
(a) 
Coaches should be trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), 
and should have a plan [or responding to emergencies. Coaches should be well versed in the 
proper use of equipment, and should enforce rules on equipment use. 
(b) 
Organized sports programs shall have adults on staff who are Certified Athletic 
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Trainers trained to prevent, recognize, and provide immediate care for athletic injuries. 
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(c) 
Warm-ups and cool-downs shall be a part of a young athlete's routine before and 
after sports participation. Warm-up exercises, such as stretching and light jogging, can help 
minimize the chance of muscle strain or other soft tissue injury during sports. Warm-up exercises 
make the body's tissues wanner and more flexible. Cool-down exercises loosen muscles that 
have tightened during exercise. 
(d) 
Student athletes shall have access to water or a sports drink while playing. They 
should be encouraged to drink frequently and stay properly hydrated. 
SECTION 6. Treatment Programs. - Treatment [or sports-related injuries will vary by 
injury. But if the young athlete suffers a soft tissue injury (such as a sprain or strain) or a bone 
injury, the best immediate treatment shall include rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the 
injury. Professional treatment should be sought if the injury is severe. A severe injury means 
having an obvious fracture or dislocation of a joint, prolonged swelling, or prolonged or severe 
pam. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders and 
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rules and regulations or part thereof, contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, 
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are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. -
Should any provision of this Act be found 
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unconstitutional by a court of law, such provision shall be severed from the remainder of this 
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Act, and such action shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
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publication in any two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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