Varsity Sports Program in Basic Education Act

Ef i TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 30 P12:01 First Regular Session RECL SENATE Senate Bill No. _ Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A VARSITY SPORTS PROGRAM IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XIV, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution provides that "[t]he 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. All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors." Consistent with this State policy, Republic Act No. 9155 or the "Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001" provides that the program for school sports and physical fitness shall remain part of the basic education curriculum. Furthermore, Republic Act No. 5708 or "The Schools Physical Education and Sports Development Act of 1969" emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for the athletic development of children and youth. Meanwhile, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), consistent with its mandate of promoting collaboration among nations, views sport as "a powerful vehicle for social inclusion, gender equality and youth empowerment, with benefits that are felt beyond the stadiums." It also recognizes the importance of sport "in humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts" all over the world.1 1 UNESCO. International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Available at https://www.unesco.org/en/days/sport-development-and-peace (Accessed on 02 July 2025).

In addition, numerous studies have pointed out that youth sports participation offers significant mental, emotional, social, physical, educational, and community benefits for children and adolescents.? Thus, in recognition of the value of sports in the lives of young Filipinos, institutionalizing a varsity sports program in elementary and secondary levels, especially in public schools, is proposed. Through this measure, opportunities for the optimal and long-term development of Filipino athletes would be created by broadening the pool of student-athletes and enhancing their access to training and competitions. Moreover, this bill promotes inclusivity by supporting the establishment of varsity teams for traditional and indigenous sports, preserving cultural heritage while advancing athletic development. To support the success of the program, this bill mandates the selection of competent coaches, provision of necessary equipment, and administrative and community support. It also ensures that training sessions take place after class hours, maintaining a balance between academic and athletic activities. To encourage active participation in sports development, this measure also provides for recognition and incentives for schools, teacher-coaches, and volunteer coaches. Additionally, it calls for the creation of a registry and performance profiling system for student-athletes to monitor their progress and support their transition into higher-level sports programs. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, gymnast Carlos Yulo made history by dominating the men's floor exercise and vault events, becoming the first Filipino male athlete to win an Olympic gold and the first to claim multiple golds in a single edition of the Games. In 2023, the Philippine Men's National Basketball Team, Gilas Pilipinas, won the gold medal at the 19th Asian Games, ending the country's 61-year title drought. The immense pride due to these victories should be coupled with action, and thus, the State should step in and hone the potential of our next generation of national athletes. For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 2 President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science Board (United States). Benefits of Youth Sports. 17 September 2020. Available at https://odphp.health.gov/sites/default/files/2020- 09/YSS_Report_OnePager_2020-08-31_web.pdf (Accessed on 02 July 2025).

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 30 P12:01 First Regular Session RECI SENATE Senate Bill No.. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A VARSITY SPORTS PROGRAM IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 "Varsity Sports

Program in Basic Education Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared 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- 6 discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry. To this end, the State shall provide opportunities for the optimal and long-term development of Filipino athletes by expanding the base of student-athletes and increasing the time and frequency for their early exposure, training, and competition through the institutionalization of a varsity sports program in the basic education sector.

SEC. 3. Organization and Development of a Varsity Sports Program and

Teams. - To ensure the optimal and long-term development of Filipino athletes, public and private elementary and secondary schools shall, as far as practicable, organize and develop a varsity sports program and teams. The school shall endeavor to

1 gradually expand the number of sporting events that it holds in accordance with its after-school sports program and the interests of the students, coaches, and the community. The establishment of varsity teams in traditional and indigenous games, dances, and sports shall also be encouraged. The organization of varsity teams shall consider the following: a) Presence of competent and committed teacher-coaches; b) Availability of facilities and equipment; c) Administrative support; and d) Support of the community.

SEC. 4. Identification of Athletes. - The Department of Education (DepEd)

shall provide a varsity sports selection and admission system. All K-12 learners who are officially enrolled in Elementary, Junior High School, Senior High School, Open High School, and Alternative Learning System, especially those who participate in the after-school sports program and who can meet the following requirements, shall be able to join the school's varsity teams: a) Must have passed the physical fitness tests and skills tests; b) With parental consent; and c) In good academic standing.

SEC. 5. Selection and Deployment of Competent Coaches. - It shall be the

responsibility of the school administration to secure the services of competent coaches. Teachers, including sports coordinators, trained in sports coaching shall be the priority in the selection of coaches. Former outstanding athletes from among the parents or community residents may be tapped to serve as volunteer coaches in the sports where they excelled and gained national or international recognition. Students and graduates of the Sports Track in Senior High School shall also be tapped to provide assistance in the training of varsity teams. The varsity teams may also serve as a venue for the practicum and/or immersion of students in the Sports Track.

SEC. 6. Recognition and Training of Coaches. - The DepEd shall create a

mechanism to provide recognition and/or incentives to varsity coaches.

The Deped, in consultation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), National 2 Sports Associations (NSAs), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and the private sector, shall also develop programs to train varsity coaches to become certified trainers based on international standards.

SEC. 7. Time and Frequency of Training. - The implementing school has the

6 discretion to determine the time and frequency of training of the varsity teams: Provided, That the trainings shall be conducted after the regular class hours and shall not interfere with the academic activities of the students.

SEC. 8. Varsity Competitions. - Aside from the calendar of regular sports

10 competitions conducted by the DepEd, private and public schools shall organize varsity matches with neighboring schools. A league may be composed of public and private schools. Elementary and secondary schools may also partner with existing stadiums and sports centers in the community to host varsity matches.

SEC. 9. Equipment for Varsity Sports. - It shall be the responsibility of the

school administration to secure the equipment necessary to sustain the training of 17 varsity teams. Such equipment may be sourced from regular budget and extra- 18 budgetary means, such as donations from the community. The DepEd, in consultation with the PSC, shall be responsible for maintaining a databank of standard facilities and equipment, technical specifications, suppliers, and indicative prices of such facilities and equipment for every sport covered in international competitions.

SEC. 10. Performance Profiling of Student-Athletes. - There shall be a

school-based profiling of student-athletes. In case a student-athlete transfers to another school, it shall be the responsibility of his/her former coaches to transmit his/her athletic profile to the new school to ensure his/her proper recognition and continuous training and development. The profile of the student-athlete shall show results of his/her previous competition/s and improvement in clocking in the case of measurable sports. All elementary and secondary schools shall register and regularly update their student-athletes' profiles.

SEC. 11. Registry of Student-Athletes. - The DepEd shall maintain a registry

2 of student-athletes and shall make this accessible to colleges and universities, PSC, 3 NSAS, POC, and other private sports groups and organizations, subject to the requirements of Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The registry shall be used solely for the identification of potential inclusion to 6 varsity teams in colleges or universities, or in the case of the PSC, for the selection of national athletes who shall represent the Philippines in international sporting events. The National Academy of Sports System, established under Republic Act No. 11470, shall likewise have access to the registry of student-athletes and may use the 10 same for recruitment purposes, subject to its criteria for the selection and admission of students.

SEC. 12. Incentives. - The DepEd shall develop an incentives and rewards

system for schools that have supported the organization and development of their varsity program and teams. Teacher-coaches shall also be given service credits and/or additional compensation or overtime pay for work performed in excess of eight (8) hours, in accordance with law.

SEC. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions

of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DepEd. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and the PSC shall, in consultation with relevant government agencies and stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within the specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to administrative penalties under applicable civil service laws. Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of the government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith or with gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.

SEC. 15. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

5 executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions 6 of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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