Republic of the Philippines Se BAN
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fs’ RECEIVED \
Quezon City, Metro Manila Z pare AUG 2 2 ‘a

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4128

Introduced by Representative ALYSSA SHEENA TAN

AN ACT
CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL FOR
SPORTS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is a well known saying that the children are the future of the nation and the
Philippines has an overwhelming amount of potential from the youth that must be
nurtured. As mandated by our Constitution, particularly Sec. 13 of Article II, “the
State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and
protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social being. It shall inculcate
in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public
and civic affairs.” Therefore, the creation of the Philippine Sports High School is
indisputably necessary to carry out the State's obligation towards youth
development.

It is unfortunate that the general state of Philippine sports is overlooked and
our young athletes are not invested on. One of the major hindrances to the
advancement of sports education in our country is the limited funding allocated by
the government. Through this bill, the Philippine Sports High School aims to offer a
sports-oriented curriculum and scholarship grants to deserving students that will
enable them to realize their full athletic potential while being equipped with quality
education.

Furthermore, the welfare of the children is essentially one of the utmost
priorities of the State as they craft the future of our nation. However, due to the lack
of opportunities available to the youth today, some have resorted to exploring vices
such as illegal drugs and underage drinking which eventually prompt their
involvement in crimes. The promotion of sports in the country is expected to redirect
the youth’s interest into a productive and sensible cause.

As proven by a number of notable Filipino athletes such as Sen. Manny
“Pacman” Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, and Lydia de Vega, an athlete armed with proper
training and immense support could carry the Philippine flag and proudly represent
the country world-wide. Sports should not be taken lightly because it has been
proven to be a career that is truly life-changing. Athletes, especially the young ones,



deserve every chance to fully maximize their potential and this bill seeks to be the
change in the current system of sports in our country today.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this
sought!

1 Asimilar bill was passed by Senator Juan “Sonny” Edgardo Angara in the current Congress.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4128
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative ALYSSA SHEENA TAN

AN ACT
CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL FOR
SPORTS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives In Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Philippine High School
for Sports (PHSS) Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles. - The Philippine Constitution recognizes the
vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their
physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It is likewise mandated
that the State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs,
league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international
competitions, foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of
a healthy and alert citizenry.

Itis therefore declared the policy of the State to maximize the athletic abilities
of students with the end in view of producing world-class athletes with solid
academic background. In line with this, an educational system to foster the total
development of the youth, with special emphasis on the enhancement and
development of their skills in sports is hereby established.

SECTION 3. Creation and Establishment of the Philippine High School for Sports. -
There is hereby created and established a national high school to be known as the
Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS). This shall be attached to the Department
of Education (DepEd) which shall also coordinate with the Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC) for policy and program formulation and implementation on
subjects pertaining to sports.

SECTION 4. Purpose of the PHSS. - The PHSS shall offer, on a full and partial
scholarship basis, a secondary course with special emphasis on developing the
athletic skills of the students through subjects pertaining to physical education and
sports development, with the end in view of preparing its students who have shown
their early potential of excelling in sports for a sports-related career while


undergoing quality secondary education. The Board may agree to accept paying
students based on the criteria for eligibility for scholarships as established.

SECTION 5. Director of the PHSS. - The PHSS shall be headed by a Director, who
shall serve for a period of four (4) years and shall be eligible for reappointment. He
shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees, as created in Section 6. The Board shall
also fix his compensation. His functions, powers and duties, in addition to those
specifically provided for in this law, shall be those usually pertaining to the office of
the principal of any high school in the Philippine educational system.

SECTION 6. Board of Trustees. - The exercise of the corporate powers of the PHSS is
hereby vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the
Board, and in the Director, insofar as authorized by said Board, and shall serve for a
period of three (3) years.

The PHSS shall have a Board of Trustees, which shall be composed of the
following members: Secretary of the DepEd or his representative, the Chairperson of
the PSC or his representative, the Director of the PHSS, one (1) representative each
from the Senate and the House of Representatives, and four (4) representatives from
the sports community: Provided, that the four (4) representatives from the sports
community shall be chosen from among a list of persons qualified in the field of
sports, as recommended by the Search Committee constituted by the Director in
consultation with the Chairperson of the PSC, based on the normal standards and
qualification for the position: Provided, further, that the members shall elect from
among themselves the Chair of the Board. All members who are not receiving
regular compensation from the government shall receive per diem per session of the
Board.

SECTION 7. Powers and Functions of the Board of Trustees. - The Board shall have
all the powers and prerogatives of a Board of Directors of a private corporation. It
shall also have the following powers, among others:

(a) To fix the site of the PH

(b) To receive and appropriate for the ends herein specified such sums
as may be provided by law for the support of the PHSS;

(c) To approve appointments made and contracts entered into by the
Director in connection with the employment of teachers, lecturers
and other employees of the school, to fix their compensation and
other conditions of employment, and to remove them for cause after
proper investigation:

(d) To import duty-free sports education and training books and/or
publications upon certification by the DepEd that such imported
books and/or publications are for sports education and training
purposes in accordance with the provisions of the Customs
Modernization and Tariff Act;



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(e) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, as the
Board may deem proper to impose, after due and comprehensive
consultation with the students concerned;

(8) To provide and approve fellowships and training for faculty
members;

(g) To approve the grant of scholarships, stipends and such other
allowances to deserving students;

(h) To establish the criteria for the selection and admission of students
which shall include, among others, national competitive trials and
examinations;

(i) To develop the athletic potential of every student together with a
sound and strong academic base;

(j) To provide a training program for students with the end goal of
creating athletes who are competitive in the national. South East
Asian, Asian, and Olympics level;

(k) To approve the issuance of certificates or diplomas to successful
candidates for graduation;

(I) To solicit and receive in trust, legacies, gifts, and donations of real
and personal property of all kinds and to administer the same for the
benefit of the PHSS or for aid to any of its students;

(m) To develop a curriculum that will meet the objectives of the Act;
and

(n) To perform any and all other acts incident to or required by virtue
of its creation.

SECTION 8. Quorum of the Board of Trustees. - A quorum of the Board shall consist
of majority of all the members holding office at the time the meeting is called.

SECTION 9. Annual Report. - On or before the first of April of each year the Board
shall submit to the DepEd a detailed report on the progress, condition and needs of
the PHSS.

SECTION 10. Executive Council. - There shall be an Executive Council consisting of
the Director, the Assistant Director, as provided in Section 11, the heads of
departments, and such other ranking faculty members or officials of the PHSS, as
may be determined by the Board.

The Council shall have the power to screen and select the students subject for
admission, to select students who shall be recipients of scholarships, stipends and
other allowances, and to develop the curricula, course or study, and rules of
discipline. The Council shall implement and execute the policies laid down by the
Board and exercise such other functions, powers and duties as the Board may
prescribe.

SECTION 11. Assistant Director of the PHSS. - There shall be an Assistant Director
who shall assist the Director. In the absence of the Director, he shall assume the


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administrative and supervisory functions of the Director. He shall be appointed by
the Chairperson of the Board subject to the approval of the same Board, which shall
also fix his compensation.

SECTION 12. Registrar of the PHSS. - There shall be a Registrar o f the School who
shall also act as Secretary of the Board, to be appointed by the Director with the
approval of the Board. He shall keep all records of the PHSS.

SECTION 13. Treasurer of the PHSS. - There shall be a Treasurer of the PHSS who
shall be appointed by the Director, with the approval of the Board. All accounts and
expenses of the PHSS are public in nature, and shall be subject to auditing by the
Commission on Audit (COA).

SECTION 14. Tax Exemptions of the PHSS. — The PHSS shall be exempt from
payment of all taxes, fees, assessments and other charges of the Government, its
branches and subdivisions.

It shall likewise be exempt from the payment of customs duties, taxes and
tariffs on the importation of sportswear, equipment, books, supplies, instruments,
materials and goods, including those donated to the PHSS: Provided, That these are
of international sports standards and are not available from local manufacturers:
Provided, further, That the importation shall only be in such numbers as may be
required in the development of various sports and/or training of the students.

The PHSS shall also be exempt from withholding taxes on the honoraria or
fees paid by the PHSS to visiting lecturers or professors from abroad.

SECTION 15. Tax Deduction or Exemption of Donations and Contributions. - All
legacies, gifts and donations for the benefit of the PHSS, or for its support and
maintenance, or for aid to any of its students shall be tax-exempt and shall be an
allowable deduction from the gross-income of the donors.

SECTION 16. Sports High School Fund. - All incomes and donations to the PHSS
created under this Act shall be formed into a fund, to be known as the Sports High
School Fund, which the PHSS shall be authorized to retain, without need of a
separate approval from any government agency, and subject only to existing
accounting and auditing rules and regulations. This fund shall be expended as
authorized by the Board exclusively for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 17. Funding. - To carry out the purposes of this Act the amount of One
Hundred Million Pesos (Php 100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated and shall be
made available from the funds of the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Thereafter, this amount to be utilized for the expenses of the PHSS, for the purpose
above described, shall be provided in the yearly General Appropriations Act.


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SECTION 18. Additional Funding. - Various sources of revenue shall be explored,
such as a combination of government funding, private sponsorship/scholarships,
profit generation, among others.

SECTION 19. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision o f this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions thereof, which are not affected thereby,
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 20. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, executive order and
other administrative issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of national
circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,