Leadership and Jurisdiction
- Headed by a Secretary assisted by Undersecretaries.
- Coordination with other departments for specific youth activities: Education (youth in schools), National Defense (military training), Labor and Manpower (skills development and employment), Social Welfare (disadvantaged youth).
Core Functions of the Department
- Conduct basic and applied research on youth development.
- Establish and administer youth organizations for persons aged 11 and above.
- Coordinate youth activities with relevant government bodies.
- Develop guidelines for community service as alternative to compulsory military service.
- Organize summer camps and youth leadership centers.
- Conduct promotion and fundraising campaigns.
- Implement integrated physical fitness and amateur sports programs nationwide.
- Set uniform rules for amateur athletes and national sports associations.
- Develop and maintain sports facilities including a modern sports complex.
- Support local manufacturing incentives for sporting goods.
- Oversee the National College of Physical Education.
- Provide incentives to deserving associations or athletes.
- Import sports equipment, potentially exempt from customs duties.
Organizational Structure: Department Proper
- Planning and Financial Service: handles planning, programming, budgeting, and financial matters.
- Administrative Service: manages personnel, legal assistance, records, supplies, and financial administration.
Bureau of Youth Development
- Responsible for youth development research and program evaluation.
- Divisions:
- Research and Information: studies youth development across physical, mental, emotional, social, and aesthetic dimensions.
- Program Development: organizes programs through regional offices and coordinates with other agencies.
Bureau of Physical Fitness and Sports
- Responsible for standards and promotion of physical education, fitness, and amateur sports.
- Divisions:
- Physical Fitness Programs: plans nationwide fitness and health programs.
- Amateur Sports Development: supervises national sports associations, maintains sports facilities, and manages fundraising.
National Sports Associations
- Accreditation process involves submission of constitution, by-laws, and membership to the Department.
- Recognition granted if it promotes Department objectives and complies with its rules.
- The Department supervises associations but allows technical control over their respective sports.
- Accreditation may be withdrawn for violations.
Powers and Duties of National Sports Associations
- Draft and maintain constitutions and by-laws with Department approval.
- Restrict voting membership to entities with ≥60% Filipino athletes.
- Raise funds with Department approval.
- Manage property for their purposes.
- Conduct national and international competitions excluding Olympic/Asian Games.
- Affiliate with international sports bodies upon consulting the Department.
- Determine amateur status and discipline, subject to appeal.
- Develop training programs and finance athlete development.
- Appoint representatives to the National Olympic Committee for Olympic sports.
- Select teams considering skill and moral character, subject to committee approval.
- Keep accurate competition records and report semi-annually.
- Qualify referees and officials.
Regional Offices
- Established according to regional patterns ensuring efficiency.
- Headed by a Regional Director (college graduate with physical education/youth development background) and assistants.
- Have units corresponding to departmental functions and may have sub-regional offices.
Roles of Regional Directors
- Implement Department policies regionally.
- Plan and execute youth, fitness, and sports programs locally.
- Coordinate with local government and youth organizations.
- Manage Department properties and supervise local programs.
- Budget preparation and reporting.
Advisory Councils
- National Advisory Council on Youth Development: advisory body with youth and civic representatives appointed by the President.
- Regional Advisory Councils: similar bodies at the regional level appointed by the Secretary.
National Olympic Committee
- Composed of representatives from accredited national sports associations of Olympic sports, the IOC representative, and the Secretary.
- Functions per International Olympic Committee rules and coordinates with the Department.
Annual Interscholastic Meet
- Annual nationwide sports event including public/private schools and out-of-school youth.
- Organized by the Department with coordination from Education and Local Government departments.
- Starts from local to regional to national levels.
Abolishment and Transfer of Functions
- Abolished previous agencies related to youth and sports (e.g., Child and Youth Research Center, Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation).
- Transfer of functions, personnel, funds, and properties to the new Department.
Tax Exemption
- Donations and contributions for Department fund-raising are fully deductible from income tax.
Transition and Compliance
- Existing national sports associations continue under supervision.
- Time granted to comply with new standards consistent with international sports federations.
Funding and Appropriations
- Funded initially from transferred funds of abolished agencies and specific sweepstakes receipts.
- Required to submit annual budgets for inclusion in the General Appropriation Act.
Repealing Clause
- Repeals inconsistent laws and regulations, including Republic Acts 3135 and 5708.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision shall not affect the remaining provisions.
Effectivity
- The decree takes effect upon approval, December 10, 1974.