The House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, chaired by Rep. Eric Martinez (2nd District, Valenzuela City), approved House Bill 3860 or the proposed “Philippine Indigenous Games Preservation Act” which aims to ensure the preservation of the country’s indigenous games that are integral to our national history and heritage.
HB 3860, principally authored by Rep. Tyrone Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), recognizes the country’s traditional games as the best avenue for self-expression and in promoting peace, harmony, goodwill and camaraderie among the indigenous peoples.
“Part of our rich cultural heritage are indigenous games.”
“Part of our rich cultural heritage are indigenous games such as sungka, tumbang preso, piko, sepak takraw and the like,” said Agabas.
The bill mandates the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), to initiate measures to preserve the traditional games in the country through the following: (1) the inclusion of games as part of the curriculum in the basic education system of schools; (2) production of documentary or other useful means; and (3) the conduct of regular demonstration of such games in national events and in appropriate school activities.
Moreover, the NCCA shall conduct research on the various sports traditionally played by different indigenous groups within their region to ensure the preservation and development of these games.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the local government units (LGUs), shall conduct annual regional and national indigenous sports competitions. Corollary, the host LGU shall have the prerogative to choose the sports events to be included in the indigenous sports competitions.