JUNE 2, 2012 DATE

NR # 2758B
REF. NO.

Congress approves institutionalization of Palarong Pambansa

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that would institutionalize the Palarong Pambansa as the premier national sporting event of the country. House Bill 6119 substitutes House Bill 3164 authored by Rep. Afredo Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental). Rep. Renato Unico Jr. (1st District, Camarines Norte), chair of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, endorsed the bill for plenary approval. Benitez said there is a need to reinvigorate Palarong Pambansa, the national sports event, which is the culmination of local sports competitions. Palarong Pambansa is the perfect venue to rear future athletes that can excel in international competitions. It has been the most important national competition in the country but has since seemed to lose its prestige and popularity among the Filipinos over the years, Benitez said. The measure creates the Palaro Board, which shall be attached under the Department of Education (DepEd) as the policy and coordinating body for the conduct of the Palaro. The Palaro Board members are the DepEd Secretary, four DepEd Undersecretaries, three DepEd Assistant Secretaries, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Unico said the Act shall improve the DepEds national school sports program and shall encourage the local government units (LGUs) to take a pivotal role in the promotion of the Palarong Pambansa. 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 through the institutionalization of the Palarong Pambansa as the countrys premier national sporting event, Unico said. Among others, the Board shall create the Palarong Pambansa Communications Task Force, the National Screening and Accreditation committee, shall provide incentives and rewards to participating schools and LGUs, including medal winners, formulate and issue policies and guidelines on the accreditation of athletes, coaches and chaperones, set

JUNE 2, 2012 DATE

NR # 2758B
REF. NO.

the date of the staging of the Palarong Pambansa, formulate and issue the criteria for the selection of host LGU and approve bids to host the Palarong Pambansa and identify the sports events to be included in the Palarong Pambansa, Unico added. The measure also requires the organization of the Regional Athletic Associations, which shall supervise the conduct of the regional meets in their respective jurisdictions. To ensure the success of the Palarong Pambansa, the Philippine Sports Commission shall make available its manpower and technical resources, and facilities, Unico said. In coordination with the DepEd, the PSC shall formulate and implement a training program for outstanding athletes of the Palarong Pambansa to ensure the continuity of their athletic development and education. Other authors of the Bill are Reps. Mark Aeron Sambar (Party List, PBA), Emmanuel Pacquiao (Lone District, Sarangani), Mark Villar (Lone District, Las Pias City), Seth Frederick Jalosjos (1st District, Zamboanga del Norte), Emmeline Aglipay (Party List, DIWA), Monique Yazmin Lagdameo (1st District, Makati City), Raymond Palatino (Party List, Kabataan), Lucy Gomez (4th District, Leyte), Edwin Olivarez (1st District, Paranaque), Mark Llandro Mendoza (4th District, Batangas), Roberto Puno (1st District, Antipolo City), Randolph ting (3rd District, Cagayan ), Sigfrido Tinga (2nd District, Taguig City), Joseph Victor Ejercito (Lone District, San Juan City), Arnel Ty (Party List, LPGMA), Fatima Aliah Dimaporo (2nd District, Lanao del Norte ), Pedro Acharon, Jr. (1st District, South Cotabato and General Santos City ), Roger Gaviola Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte), Gabriel Luis Quisumbing (6th District, Quisumbing), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro), Danilo Suarez (3rd District, Quezon), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Party List, Bagong Henerasyon). (30) jsc