READY FOR PALARO. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte (left) and Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro show the memorandum of agreement they signed for the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa during a press conference at the Marikina Sports Center on Friday (July 21, 2023). The country’s largest youth sporting event will be held from July 29 to Aug. 5. (PNA photo by Jesus M. Escaros)
MANILA – It's all systems go for the staging of the 63rd Palarong Pambansa from July 29 to Aug. 5 in Marikina City.
More than 9,000 student-athletes and officials from 17 regions are taking part in the Department of Education (DepEd)-organized event which is making a comeback after three years of hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Vice President Sara Duterte, who also serves as DepEd secretary, joined Marikina City Mayor Teodoro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr., Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann and DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas in the inspection of the facilities inside the Marikina Sports Center on Friday.
After the inspection, Duterte and Teodoro signed the memorandum of agreement for the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa followed by a press briefing.
Duterte thanked the Marikina City government for hosting the Palarong Pambansa, the country’s largest youth sporting event participated in by elementary and high school student-athletes.
"The Palarong Pambansa serves as a strong reminder to our government officials of the need to strengthen youth programs. Young Filipinos gain invaluable life lessons by participating in sports. The thrill of victory fuels their hunger for more wins which they should approach with the utmost modesty rather than arrogance,” the Vice President said.
“Failure, on the other hand, teaches kids to draw on their own inner strength to push through hurdles, intensify their levels of effort and get back up when they fall. All the dignity and the resolve to try again until they succeed," she added.
Teodoro said the city government had worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the Palarong Pambansa, carrying the theme "Batang Malakas, Batang Matatag".
"The DepEd entrusted us with such huge tasks and the city government of Marikina accepted to take on this enormous challenge and responsibility of hosting this prestigious national sporting event. Despite the limited capacity of the city, we still have the ability to host the Palaro," he added.
Teodoro has assured a well-managed and professionally-run tournament, saying all the necessary preparations have been ironed out from security, billeting, grand parade to playing venues. (PNA)
