Local Sports Programs to Develop Young Athletes

Senate Office of the sorrretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 26 JAN 27 P2:00 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1702 S. No. - Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT STRENGTHENING LOCAL SPORTS PROGRAM TO DEVELOP YOUNG ATHLETES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Constitution provides that the State shall 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. According to an article of the Institute for Nationalist Studies, Filipino athletes not only have to compete in their respective sports, they also have to compete with each other for scarce resources. Indeed, Filipino athletes are in need of continuous support as they continue to dominate the international sports scene. Not only should they be rewarded when they become victorious, but they must always be supported when they are on the grind. Thus, this bill seeks to strengthen local sports program to develop young athletes through institutionalizing three program funds that will be used for: (i) giving young athletes vouchers to help pay for their registration, membership, participation, and training fees; (ii) supporting local sports clubs, recreation clubs, and sports organizations for projects and programs; and, (iii) assisting local sports club, recreation clubs, and sports organizations in improving sports facilities.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR ROC

Siltate Office of ths Scurtary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 JAN 27 P2:00 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 5. No. 1702 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT STRENGTHENING LOCAL SPORTS PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP YOUNG ATHLETES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - Article XIV, Section 19 (1) of the Constitution

provides that the State shall 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. Towards this end, 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 clubs, recreation clubs, or sports organizations: Provided, That the sports club, recreation club, or sports organization is duly accredited by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Sec. 2. 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 clubs, recreation clubs, or sports organizations by reason of financial constraints. Young athletes shall be provided with a discount voucher of up to three thousand pesos (Php 3,000.00) annually to help pay for their registration, membership, participation, and training fees. The vouchers can be redeemed at sports clubs, recreation clubs, or sports organizations 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 (Php 50,000.00) 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 (Php 500,000.00) 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 the sports activity of their choice.

Sec. 3. Eligibility Criteria. - To avail of the sports voucher, the young athlete

19 must be: 1. Under the age of eighteen (18) and is actively engaged in any sports; 2. A member of any recognized or duly accredited local sports club, 21 recreation club, or sports organization; and 3. A resident in the locality where the sports club, recreation club, or sports organization is located.

Sec. 4. Conditions for the Use of the Voucher. - The use of the sports voucher

shall be governed by the following conditions: 1. It shall not be redeemable for cash; 2. It is non-transferable to any person except to another local sports club, recreation club, or sports organization;

3. It is transferable to another local sports club, recreation club, or sports organization only once a year: Provided, That the transfer is applied for 31 prior to the actual use and enjoyment of the sports facilities; 4. It cannot be reused once redeemed by the local sports club, recreation 2 club, or sports organization; and 5. Only one (1) voucher shall be payable to an eligible athlete per calendar 4 year.

Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The initial amount necessary for the implementation

9 of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the PSC. 10 Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PSC shall, in consultation

12 with various national sports associations, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.

Sec. 7. Separability Cause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared

invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected by such 16 declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Cause. - All laws, decrees, ordinances, or administrative

18 circulars not consistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended 19 accordingly.

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

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,