PASADO na sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa ng Kamara de Representantes ang panukala para sa pagdaraos ng Philippine National Games (PNG).

Ang House Bill 8468 o ang panukalang Philippine National Games Act ay inaprubahan sa botong 275-0.

“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,” ani Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, lider ng 312-miyembro ng Kamara de Representantes.

Kasama sa pangunahing may-akda ng panukala sina Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Jude Acidre, Richard Gomez, Anthony Rolando Golez Jr., Gus Tambunting, Lord Allan Velasco, Fauastino Michael Carlos Dy III, Margarita “Migs” Nograles, Charisse Anne Hernandez, Eric Buhain, Jeyzel Victoria Yu, Francisco Paolo Ortega V, Mikee Romero, at Manuel Jose Dalipe.

Ang PNG ay naglalayong mahanap ang mga atleta na mayroong malaking potensyal na manalo sa mga international sports competition. Ito ang magsisilbing pangunahing national sports competition na idaraos kada dalawang taon.

Kasama sa mga opisyal na sports sa isasagawang PNG ay aquatics, archer, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiard at snookers, bowling, boxing, canoe-kayak, chess, cycling, dance sport, e-sports, fencing, floorball, football, futsal, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, lawn tennis, modern pentathlon, muay thai, pencak silat, petanque, rowing, at rugby.

Nasa listahan din ang sailing, sambo, sepak takraw, shooting, skateboarding, softball, soft tennis, squash, surfing, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, at wushu.

Ang PNG ay magsisilbi ring venue para sa paghahanap ng mga National Sports Associations (NSA) ng mga atleta.

“This will also encourage all local government units to promote the development of sports in the countryside covering all provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays,” sabi pa ni Speaker Romualdez.

Sa ilalim ng HB No. 8468, babalangkasin ang PNG Board na magsisilbing pangunahing policy-making at coordinating body para sa mga preparasyong kailangan para sa pagdaraos ng PNG.

Ang PNG Board ay bubuohin ng (a) Executive Secretary, bilang chairperson; (b) kalihim ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), bilang vice chairperson; (c) chairperson ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) bilang Secretary General; at ang mga miyembro nito ay ang (d) kalihim ng Department of Education (DepEd) (e) chairperson ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED); (f) kalihim ng Department of National Defense (DND), at (g) President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).