P Princesa holds Palaro April 20-26

The Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Education yesterday awarded the hosting rights of this year’s Palarong Pambansa to Palawan City with Puerto Princesa staging the annual multi-sports meet from April 20-26.

PSC commissioner Eric Loretizo made the announcement after meeting with DepEd Undersecretary Ramon Bacani and task force chief on school sports Len Toledo.

“After setting up the date and the venue, we will begin discussing the other technical issues concerning the organization of the Palaro,” Loretizo said.

Loretizo said he will meet again with Toledo on Jan. 28 to officially jumpstart preparations for the event for elementary and high school students.

A total of 17 events will be played in high school and 14 disciplines in elementary will be played in Puerto Princesa, which has hosted big events like the Batang Pinoy, Asian Olympic Qualifier, BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games and Asian Cycling Championship.

Loretizo said the PSC will be on hand to assist the DepEd and host City Mayor Edward Hagedorn in ensuring a successful staging of Palaro.

Loretizo also bared plans of moving the meet to a cooler month following the deaths of two school officials and injuries to hundreds of others due to heat stroke in last year’s staging in Koronadal, South Cotabato. – Joey Villar