Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that the State promote
physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur
sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline,
teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry. Truly,
investing in athletic talent at the earliest possible time would foster the future
generation of national athletes, thus ensuring that the country remains competitive in
international sporting events.
However, sports and other physical activities have other understated positive
effect on the youth, and on society as a whole. Aside from being an easy and enjoyable
way to maintain good physical health, it could also greatly improve mental and social
well-being
and
foster
among the youth important values such as team-spirit,
self-discipline, and sportsmanship. Furthermore, studies have shown that sports and
athletics can be a powerful tool for reducing crime rates by diverting at-risk
individuals from delinquent behavior.1
Clearly, creating avenues for youth to engage in athletic activities would go a
long way in creating well-rounded citizens. One of such avenues would be making
already
existing
facilities
and
establishments
more
accessible
to
youth
of
all
backgrounds, which is the measure that the present bill forwards.
Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist
1 Richardson, Cara & Cameron, Paul & Berlouis, Katherine. (2017). The Role of Sport in Deradicalisation and Crime
Diversion. Journal for Deradicalization. 29-48.
September 2, 2022
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING LOCAL SPORTS PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP YOUNG ATHLETES,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Kabataang Atleta
Act.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote
physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur
sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline,
teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.
Pursuant to the aforementioned policy, the State shall appropriate funds for the
upgrade of sports facilities and extend financial assistance in the form of sports
vouchers to mitigate the cost of participation in a sports club, recreation club, or
sports organization of their choice; Provided, that the sports club, recreation club, or
sports organization is duly accredited by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
SECTION 3. Program Funds. – To further promote sports and its benefits among
the youth, the PSC shall allocate adequate resources to financially support the
affiliation
of
young
athletes
in local sports clubs, recreation clubs, or sports
organizations whose facilities and activities can provide them the proper venue and
opportunities for training and competition. For this purpose, the PSC shall manage
and administer three (3) separate funds, as follows:
a) Get Started Fund. – The fund shall be used to assist young athletes,
including those with disabilities as well as athletes who cannot afford to
join any local sports club, recreation club, or sports organization by reason
of financial constraints. Young athletes shall be provided with a discount
voucher of up to Three thousand pesos (P3,000.00) annually to help pay for
their
registration,
membership,
participation,
and
training
fees.
The
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vouchers can be redeemed at a sports club, recreation club, or sports
organization registered with the program;
b) Get Going Fund. – The fund shall be used to support local sports clubs,
recreation clubs, and sports organizations with funding of up to Fifty
thousand pesos (P50,000.00) annually for projects and programs that
provide opportunities for more young athletes to become involved in sports;
and
c)
Get Playing Fund. – The fund shall provide up to Five hundred thousand
pesos
(P500,000.00)
annually
in
order
to
assist
local
sports
clubs,
recreation clubs, and sports organizations in improving sports facilities and
encourage more young athletes to become actively involved in sports activity
of their choice.
SECTION 4. Eligibility Criteria. – To avail of the sports voucher, the young
athlete must be:
a) Under the age of eighteen (18) and is actively engaged in any sports;
b) A member of any recognized or duly accredited local sports club, recreation
club, or sports organization; and
c)
A resident in the locality where the sports club, recreation club, or sports
organization is located.
SECTION 5. Conditions for the Use of the Voucher. – The use of the sports
voucher shall be governed by the following conditions:
a) It shall not be redeemable for cash;
b) It is non-transferable to any person except to another local sports club,
recreation club, or sports organization;
c)
It is transferable to another local sports club, recreation club, or sports
organization only once a year: Provided, that the transfer is applied for prior
to the actual use and enjoyment of the sports facilities;
d) It cannot be reused once redeemed by the local sports club, recreation club,
or sports organization; and
e)
Only one (1) voucher shall be payable to an eligible athlete per calendar
year.
SECTION
6.
Appropriations.
–
The
initial
amount
necessary
for
the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations
of the PSC. Thereafter, such an amount shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.


SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The PSC, in consultation
with various national sports associations, shall promulgate the rules and regulations
to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force
and effect.
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules, and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of
this app or hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,