NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1088
mviwic
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•22 AUG-8 PI 38
RtCc’VcD S,;.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PRESERVING THE INDIGENOUS GAMES OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in cooperation with the National 
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the National Commission for Culture 
and the Arts (NCCA) launched the Indigenous Peoples Games program in 2018 
which aimed to "preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage and tradition of our 
ancestors through organizing indigenous sports and games In different parts of the 
country.
From its initial leg conducted in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, the program 
was conducted In various provinces and regions, such as Benguet and Saranganl. In 
Sarangani, the project featured eight traditional sports which included blowdart, 
Kmisong (fire-making drill), and Skuyah (track and field)2. Meanwhile, a recording 
project of the demonstration of traditional sports and games of the Indigenous 
Peoples (IP) communities was held in Benguet "in the spirit of the preservation, 
promotion and propagation of culture/6
1 https://www.psc.gov.ph/index.php/psc-programs/indigenous-peoples-gaines
2 "PSCto feature Sarangani Indigenous games." September 30, 2021. 
https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2021/09/30/psc-to-feature-sarangani-indigenous-games/
3 "PSC's Indigenous Peoples Games continue in Benguet." November 19, 2021.
https://manila$ta ndard.net/sports/sports-headlines/sports-plus/370384/psc-s-indigenous-peoples-games-
continue-in-benguet.html


With the prevalence of electronic gadgets and the ubiquity of social media 
and online games, the younger generation is slowly losing awareness and interest to 
our traditional sports. It is truly unfortunate that such distinctly Filipino games (like 
sungka and kadang-kadang) which shaped our childhood and are part of our 
national identity are becoming foreign to many.
It is the intent of this proposed legislation to ensure that these essential 
elements of our culture and heritage live on and are preserved for the future 
generations. It is hoped that through the enactment of this bill, the laudable efforts 
of the PSC, local government units, and other stakeholders will be Institutionalized 
and continued in the years to come.
This measure was already approved by the House of Representatives on Third 
and Final Reading during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Congresses.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
NGteOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1088
of tijf 5? •'{ el irj>
‘22 AUG-8 PI 38
RECEIVED S
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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:
1 
Section 1. Short Title, -This Act shali be known as the 'Philippine Indigenous
2 
Games Preservation Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article II, Section 22 of the 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 to protect
8 
the exercise of the Indigenous peoples' rights which include the maintenance,
9 
control, and development of their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and
10 
traditional expression, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and traditional
11 
games, among others.
12 
Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates, it Is incumbent upon the State to lay
13 
down specific policy directives to promote the interest of our Indigenous people, and
14 
strengthen our cultural heritage and historical roots. The State shall take the
15 
necessary steps to preserve the indigenous people's games which serve as the best
16 
avenue for their self-expression, and for promoting peace, harmony, goodwill and
17 
camaraderie among them.


1 
Sec. 3. Indigenous Games. - The term "indigenous games" refers to the
2 
traditional sports and games or activities inherent to the different indigenous cultural
3 
communities that reflect the rich cultural heritage, traditions or customs handed
4 
down from generation to generation such as tribal archery, blowpipe, sibat, dug-out
5 
canoe race, rock balancing, sumpit, sungka, kadang-kadang and other games
6 
distinct to the indigenous communities.
7 
Sec. 4. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Games. - The Philippine
8 
Sports Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee
9 
(POC) and the local government units (LGUs), shall conduct annual regional and
10 
national indigenous sports competitions.
11 
The host LGU, in consultation with the concerned indigenous cultural
12 
communities, shall have the prerogative to choose which sports shall be included in
13 
the regional and national Indigenous sports competitions.
14 
Sec. 5. Other Means of Preserving the Indigenous Games. - The National
15 
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Commission on
16 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), in
17 
coordination with the Department of Education, (DepEd), the Commission on Higher
18 
Education (CHED), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), shall initiate
19 
measures to preserve indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion of
20 
games as part of the curriculum in the basic and higher education system of schools,
21 
the production of documentary or other useful means, and the conduct of regular
22 
demonstration of such games In the Paiarong Pambansa and In other national sports
23 
events, and in appropriate school activities.
24 
The NCCA shall likewise conduct research on the various sports traditionally
25 
played by different indigenous groups to ensure their preservation and development.
26 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PSC and the POC as the
27 
lead agencies, in coordination with the NCCA, NCIP, DepEd, CHED, PIA, and LGUs,
28 
shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act
29 
within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.
30 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any section or part of this Act is held
31 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected
32 
shall remain in full force and effect.


1 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
2 
regulations, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,
3 
are deemed repealed and modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 9. EffectMty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, whichever
6 
comes earlier.
Approved,