REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill which seeks to preserve the indigenous games in the 
Philippines has already been approved by the House of Representatives on 
its 3rd and final reading in the 17th and 18th Congress. However, it has not 
yet ripened into a law. Hence, the re-filing of this bill to ensure the 
preservation of indigenous games in the Philippines which already form as 
integral part of our history and heritage. 
Since time immemorial, before the inception of various foreign sports 
games in the country, Filipinos have lived, enjoyed, and mastered our home 
grown indigenous games. These games successfully thrived as part of our 
way of life. They have, in one way or the other, identified us traditionally, 
culturally, geographically, and ethnically in the various regions of the 
country. 
So as to effectively treasure these indigenous games, it is but just 
fitting to preserve them to identify and define us as part of our cultural 
heritage. In the same vein, to store these games for the next generations to 
come. 
Approval of this bill is thus earnestly sought. 
MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
July 8, 2022
12:16 pm
1651


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
AN ACT 
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS GAMES OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Philippine 
1 
Indigenous Games Preservation Act”. 
2 
SEC.2. Declaration of policy – [Article II, Section 22 of the1987 Philippine 
3 
Constitution provides that the [State shall recognize and promote the rights 
4 
of indigenous cultural communities within the frame work of national unity 
5 
and development. Furthermore, Article 31.1 of the United Nations 
6 
Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous People enjoins all State 
7 
signatories to take effective measures to recognize and to protect the 
8 
exercise of the indigenous peoples’ rights which include the maintenance, 
9 
control, and development of their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge 
10 
and traditional expression, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and 
11 
traditional games, among others. 
12 
1651


 
Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates, it is therefore incumbent upon 
13 
the state to lay down specific policy directives to promote the interests of 
14 
our indigenous peoples, to strengthen our cultural heritage and our 
15 
historical roots. To further this policy, the State shall take the necessary 
16 
steps to preserve the indigenous peoples’ games which serve as the best 
17 
avenue for self – expression, and for promoting peace, harmony, goodwill 
18 
and camaraderie among them.] 
19 
Sec. 3. Indigenous Games. – Indigenous games refer to the traditional 
20 
sports and games or activities inherent to the different indigenous cultural 
21 
communities reflecting their rich cultural heritage, traditions or customs 
22 
handed down from generation to generation such as, but not limited to, dug 
23 
out, canoe races, precision- around obstacles or rapids, supok or sampit, 
24 
sungka, kadang-kadang, tumbangpreso, piko, and sepak takraw and such 
25 
other games distinct with the indigenous communities. 
26 
Sec. 4. Preservation of Indigenous Games. – the National Commission for 
27 
Culture and the Arts (NCAA), in coordination with the Department of 
28 
Education (DepEd), shall initiate measures to preserve indigenous games 
29 
in the country, such as the inclusion of games as part of the curriculum in 
30 
the basic education system of our schools, production of documentary or 
31 
other useful means, and the conduct of regular demonstration of such 
32 
games in national events and in appropriate school activities. 
33 
The NCAA shall likewise conduct research on the various sports 
34 
traditionally played by different indigenous groups within the region to 
35 
ensure the preservation and development of these games. 
36 
Sec. 5. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Games. The Philippine 
37 
Sports Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Philippine Olympic 
38 
Committee (POC), and the local government Units (LGUs) shall conduct 
39 
annual regional and national indigenous sports competitions. 
40 


 
The host LGU shall have the prerogative to choose which sport 
41 
events shall be included in the national and regional Indigenous games 
42 
competitions. 
43 
Sec. 6 implementing Rules and Regulations. – the NCAA and the DepEd 
44 
as the lead agencies in coordination with the PSC,POC and LGUs, shall 
45 
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this act 
46 
within 60 days after its effectivity. 
47 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. – if any part or provision of this Act is held 
48 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
49 
remain in full force and effect. 
50 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, 
51 
rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this 
52 
Act are deemed, amended, modified, or replaced accordingly. 
53 
Sec. 9 Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect 15days after its publication in 
54 
the official gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
55 
Approved. 
56