QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10588)
RA 10588 is the “Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013.” Its declared policy is to promote physical education and sports programs, including training for international competitions, by institutionalizing the Palarong Pambansa as the country’s premier national sporting event and by directing educational institutions to promote physical education and support local meets and the Palarong Pambansa.
The objectives are: (1) to institutionalize the Palarong Pambansa under DepED as a venue for talent identification, selection, and recruitment of student athletes; (2) to improve DepED’s national school sports program and give more prestige to the annual event through incentives and rewards for schools; and (3) to encourage LGUs to proactively support the Palarong Pambansa with incentives and rewards.
It is the “Palarong Pambansa Board” (the Board/Boarda), created as the lead policy-making and coordinating body for preparation and conduct of the Palarong Pambansa. It is attached to the DepED and is the proprietary owner of the phrase “Palarong Pambansa” and related symbols, logos, and concept.
The Board has 10 members: (1) Secretary of DepED as Chairperson; (2) four (4) DepED Undersecretaries; (3) three (3) DepED Assistant Secretaries; (4) Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission; and (5) Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Examples include: formulating policies and guidelines governing the Palarong Pambansa; reviewing and updating sports rules in line with international standards; developing programs to promote the event; providing incentives/rewards to participating schools and LGUs; issuing accreditation policies and guidelines for athletes/coaches/chaperones; creating communication and screening committees; setting the staging date; selecting host LGU criteria and approving bids; allocating funds for leading school sports activities; and submitting an annual report to Congress.
The Board appoints a Secretary General from among Board members representing DepED. The Secretary General recommends the Secretariat’s composition and activities requiring funds. The Secretariat comes from existing personnel of DepED, PSC, and DILG and manages the conduct of the Palarong Pambansa and related activities.
RAAs are bodies organized by DepED Regional Offices to supervise regional meets and organize their respective regional delegations to the Palarong Pambansa.
Hosting is determined by bidding and guided by rotation among Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Two adjoining LGUs may host, provided one does not have available venues/facilities to accommodate all sports events. The host LGU may also constitute a local Palarong Pambansa Board.
The Board must consider existing sports facilities (given highest weight), their capacity to accommodate participants/guests, security and peace and order situation, and the need of the LGU to promote and showcase its socioeconomic and cultural uniqueness.
The Board provides incentives to winning/hosting LGUs to encourage bidding. For schools with participating students/athletes, it provides incentives that may include financial support for additional scholarships and improvement of sports/physical education programs.
The group formulates marketing and communications plans to promote the event, ensure national and local media coverage, and enter into sponsorship/merchandising/royalty agreements with private entities for additional funds. It is composed of representatives from DepED, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), PSC, and DepED Regional Offices.
The Board constitutes the NSAC to evaluate and verify the authenticity of documents submitted by athletes, coaches, and chaperones for accreditation. It accredits qualified applicants and submits a masterlist to the Board at least two (2) months before the Palarong Pambansa.
NSAC includes: a representative from DepED Legal Division; two (2) government physicians; two (2) government dentists; and an authorized representative from each RAA.
All protests and appeals must be resolved with finality within thirty (30) days from receipt.
Elementary Division includes, among others: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Gymnastics, Sepak Takraw, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, and Arnis. Secondary Division includes, among others: Archery, Arnis, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Futsal, Sepak Takraw, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, and Wushu. (The statute also provides for appropriate events for students with disability.)
The Board must ensure events follow international rules and regulations and that sports venues, facilities, and equipment comply with international standards; it must also consult National Sports Associations (NSAs) when reviewing rules and regulations.
PSC must ensure success in cooperation with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and through NSAs by making available manpower/technical resources/facilities; formulating and implementing training programs for outstanding Palarong Pambansa athletes; providing technical support to train teachers/coaches/officiating teams; providing technical support in equipment procurement specifications; providing technical support to event managers managing the events; and performing other duties assigned by the Board.
DILG must direct the Philippine National Police to prepare and implement a comprehensive security plan for the host LGU; appoint a representative to the local Board; direct LGUs to coordinate and support the Board’s plans; and perform other duties assigned by the Board.
The Act’s implementation takes effect 15 days after publication in a national newspaper of general circulation. The IRR must be prepared and promulgated within 90 days after approval of the Act and takes effect 15 days following its publication in a major daily newspaper of general circulation.