LET THE GAMES BEGIN
A measure that seeks the creation of the proposed biennial Philippine National Games (PNG) was overwhelmingly approved on third and final in the House of Representatives.
Nominal voting results showed that House Bill (HB) No. 8468 or the proposed “Philippine National Games Act” gained 275 affirmative votes.
“Filipinos have an innate love for sports and friendly competition. This urge to compete has brought a lot of honors to the country in the international arena, but it all starts at home. Through these Philippine National Games, we aim to nurture and develop this aptitude for athletics,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said as he expressed elation overt the passage of the measure.
Some of the principal authors are Tingog Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre; 1PACMAN Rep. Mikee Romero; Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez; Paranaque rep. Gus Tambunting; Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and PBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles.
The PNG is envisioned as the national grassroots sports program and platform for the nationwide talent search in identifying and developing outstanding athletes who have the potential to excel in various sports, and place the country at the forefront of international sports competitions.
It shall serve as the country’s premier national sports competition, which would be held every two years.
The official sports in the PNG shall include the following: aquatics, archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiard and snookers, bowling, boxing, canoe-kayak, chess, cycling, dancesport, e-sports, fencing, floorball, football, futsal, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, lawn tennis, modern pentathlon, muay thai, pencak silat, petanque, rowing, and rugby.
Also included are sailing, sambo, sepak takraw, shooting, skateboarding, softball, soft tennis, squash, surfing, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, and wushu.
The PNG will become a venue for the National Sports Associations (NSAs) in promoting their respective sports programs at the grassroots level, providing the necessary linkages with local government unit (LGUs).
Moreover, it will serve as a feeder program for the pool of student-athletes who shall be given priority in the grant of full scholarship on secondary education program at the National Academy of Sports.
Under HB No.8468, the PNG Board is created as the lead policy-making and coordinating body for the preparation of the PNG.
The members of the Board shall be entitled to reimbursement of actual traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties as members thereof, subject to pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.
