2020 Palaro called off

MANILA, Philippines — After much delay, the Department of Education finally pulled the plug on this year’s Palarong Pambansa.

“We are cancelling our usual activity that is so much fun and exciting,” said DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones yesterday.

The decision did not come as a surprise as Marikina City begged off as host as early as last March and the Philippine Sports Commission shut down its year-long activities due to the COVID-19 crisis.

It was just a matter of time before DepEd made the final decision.

It just did.

It will be the first time that the annual multi-sports event for elementary and secondary students was called off since it was shelved 16 years ago due to the national elections.