Philippine Indigenous Games Preservation Act

fire aft TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG -6 P1:36 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVOI S. No. 1028 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 Sarangani. In Sarangani, the project featured eight traditional sports which included blowdart, Kmisong (fire-making drill), and Skuyah (track and field). Meanwhile, a recording project of the demonstration of traditional sports and games of the Indigenous 1 https://www.psc.gov.ph/index.php/psc-programs/indigenous-peoples-games 2 "PSC to feature Sarangani Indigenous games." September 30, 2021. https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2021/09/30/psc-to-feature-sarangani-indigenous-games/

Peoples (IP) communities was held in Benguet "in the spirit of the preservation, promotion and propagation of culture."3 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. The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 3 "PSC's Indigenous Peoples Games continue in Benguet." November 19, 2021. https://manilastandard.net/sports/sports-headlines/sports-plus/370384/psc-s-indigenous-peoples-games- continue-in-benguet.html

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 AUG -6 P1:36 SENATE RECEIV.D B: S. No. 1028 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:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Indigenous

2 Games Preservation Act".

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 traditional expression, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and traditional games, among others. Pursuant to the aforesaid mandates, it is incumbent upon the State to lay down specific policy directives to promote the interest of our indigenous people, and strengthen our cultural heritage and historical roots. The State shall take the necessary steps to preserve the indigenous people's games which serve as the best avenue for their self-expression, and for promoting peace, harmony, goodwill and camaraderie among them.

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 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.

Sec. 4. Annual Regional and National Indigenous Games. - The Philippine

Sports Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee 9 (POC) and the local government units (LGUs), shall conduct annual regional and national indigenous sports competitions. The host LGU, in consultation with the concerned indigenous cultural communities, shall have the prerogative to choose which sports shall be included in the regional and national indigenous sports competitions.

Sec. 5. Other Means of Preserving the Indigenous Games. - The National

Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), in coordination with the Department of Education, (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), shall initiate measures to preserve indigenous games in the country, such as the inclusion of games as part of the curriculum in the basic and higher education system of schools, the production of documentary or other useful means, and the conduct of regular demonstration of such games in the Palarong Pambansa and in other national sports events, and in appropriate school activities. The NCCA shall likewise conduct research on the various sports traditionally played by different indigenous groups to ensure their preservation and development.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PSC and the POC as the

lead agencies, in coordination with the NCCA, NCIP, DepEd, CHED, PIA, and LGUS, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any section or part of this Act is held

unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are deemed repealed and modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. Approved,