Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 604)
The primary purpose of Presidential Decree No. 604 is to integrate nationwide youth development, physical fitness, and amateur sports development programs by creating the Department of Youth and Sports Development to formulate and implement related policies, plans, and programs.
The Department is responsible for conducting research on youth development, encouraging youth organizations, coordinating with other government agencies, establishing programs on physical fitness and amateur sports, adopting rules for amateur sports, maintaining sports facilities, and administering incentives for deserving athletes and associations, among other functions.
The Department is headed by a Secretary of Youth and Sports Development, who may be assisted by one or more Undersecretaries as necessary.
The Department of Education retains responsibility for youth activities in schools; the Department of National Defense handles Citizens Army Training, Reserve Officers Training Corps, and Summer Cadres; the Department of Labor and the National Manpower and Youth Council manage skills development for gainful employment; and the Department of Social Welfare looks after activities of disadvantaged youth.
The Bureau of Youth Development focuses on youth research and programs for self-improvement and community involvement, while the Bureau of Physical Fitness and Sports provides guidelines on physical education, promotes amateur sports, and manages sports centers and interscholastic athletic meets.
National sports associations must apply for accreditation with the Department, submit their Constitution and By-laws, and comply with Department rules. The Department supervises these associations and may withdraw recognition for violations. The associations have exclusive technical control over their sports development.
They adopt and submit their own Constitutions and By-laws, raise funds subject to Department approval, manage properties, conduct competitions, affiliate internationally, regulate amateur status and discipline, develop training programs, appoint representatives to the National Olympic Committee, and report finances and activities to the Department, among others.
Regional Offices implement and supervise youth development, physical fitness, and amateur sports programs within their jurisdictions. They coordinate activities, administer properties, prepare budgets, supervise local programs, and report to the Department.
The National Advisory Council on Youth Development and Regional Advisory Councils on Youth Development serve as advisory bodies to the Secretary and Regional Directors, respectively. They are composed of representatives from youth and civic organizations and help in guiding youth programs and policies.
The Department plans and conducts the National Interscholastic Meet each year, preceded by local meets at municipal, city, provincial, and regional levels. It coordinates with the Department of Education and Culture and the Department of Local Government and Community Development to involve educational institutions, students, local governments, and out-of-school youth.