Albay to host 2016 Palarong Pambansa

MANILA, Philippines – Albay Gov. Joey Salceda declared Tuesday their province is all set for the hosting of the 2016 Palarong Pambansa, the biggest ever with the addition of Negros Island Province as an independent regional team and the participation of the entire Albay populace to promote people empowerment.

Nine delegations are already in Albay, making their final preparations for the sports meet among the country’s finest student athletes where President Aquino has been invited as guest of honor and speaker during the opening ceremonies starting at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Bicol University Sports Complex.

Over 14,000 athletes from a total of 18 regional teams are slugging it out in the nine-day event, with highlight events to be aired on ABS-CBN Sports + Action and ABS-CBN Sports + Action HD.

ABS-CBN Sports + Action channel head Vince Rodriguez, ABS-CBN regional head Atty. Abigail Querubin-Aquino, Department of Education assistant secretary Tonicito Umali and the Albay chief executive formalized their TV partnership in a contract-signing event at Resto 9501 in ABS-CBN Complex in Quezon City.

Also present in the conference were former Palaro athletes Sen. Pia Cayetano, Fille Cainglet-Cayetano of Beach Volleyball Republic and Carmela Tunay of the UST women’s volleyball team.

Rodriguez said ABS-CBN’s sports division has committee to air some of the games and matches of Palaro on their sports channels, and will also produce a documentary and feature stories on the event and its former and present athletes.

Globalport players Terrence Romeo and Roi Sumang and numerous ABS-CBN talents are among the special guests during the opening ceremonies of the 59th edition of the annual games which offers a total of 610 gold medals in 21 different sports disciplines.

A torch relay all over Albay will be held starting Friday and culminates in the lighting of the Palaro urn on opening day.

“Terrence Romeo and Roi Sumang accompany a wheelchair-bound SPED athlete who will do the honor of lighting the urn, depicting inclusivity of the whole society and empowering people,” said Salceda.

Salceda insisted they’re ready to stage what could well be the “safest edition of the Palaro” with over 2,000 police officers tapped to secure the athletes and all participants.

“It’s one police for every four athletes. There are also volunteers to our response team. It will be one for every 18 athletes,” said Salceda aiming to impress everyone that Albay is a good host and a memorable tourist destination.

The Education Department, meanwhile, foresees an exciting sporting battle even as National Capital Region is still tipped as the top favorite to win the overall championship.

Umali noted the continued improvement of Region 4-A (Calabarzon) and the emergence of Cordillera Autonomous Region as a force to reckon with.

“It could be the most exciting Palaro in terms of sports competition,” said Umali of the Palaro transition event heading to the start of the “12-K” program in the coming school year.

Salceda said part of the opening show will depict Albay’s readiness for 12-K.