BUHAY Partylist Rep. Jose ‘Lito’ Atienza Jr. has filed a bill that seeks to revert the Department of Education to the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

Atienza said House Bill 1108 or the proposed Department of Education, Culture and Sports Act will strengthen the cultural and sports training of Filipino youth.

“Education is perceived as a valuable gift from parents to their children and the kind of education they receive from our educational system greatly contributes to their future success,” he said in his explanatory note.

He lamented the lack of an in-depth learning on Philippine culture and arts. Sports development has also devolved into minor participation during school intramurals and similar events, Atienza said.

“The state of sports in this country is very disappointing. We do not fare well in international competitions. Most of our medals come from individual sporting disciplines such as boxing, bowling, billiards and ice-skating,” the lawmaker said.

Atienza explained that since the DECS devolved into DepEd, the teaching of team sports is no longer a priority.

House Bill 1108 will amend Section 6 of Republic Act 9155 or the Governance of Basic Education of 2001 to give equal focus on Arts, Culture and Sports.

The measure also seeks to repeal Section 9 of RA 9155 that abolished the Bureau of Physical Education and Schools Sports.

Under the measure, the bureau will be reestablished and will focus on the development of general fitness of elementary and high school students through sports education. It will also promote social and cultural integration through the revival of indigenous games, and ensure that every school will teach at least eight kinds of sports.