BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong to represent the city government and enter into and sign the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine National Esports League Panel through lawyer Ronaldo E. Renta, president, for the Philippine National Esports League (PNEL) membership agreement.
The resolution authored by all members of the city legislative body stated the need for the city government and PNEL to enter into an agreement as partners to achieve the goals of the non-government organization to include the Baguio City as member of the PNEL and enjoy its right as a member.
The PNEL, a non-stock and non-profit organization, engages the local government unit-based membership mode, and amateur Esports tournament, a premier league duly sanctioned by Esports World Federation.
Further, the PNEL grants to qualified local government units a membership to own and manage Esport membership team that could see action in the PNEL Final Cup in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the board.
The resolution stipulated that under the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines, the city chief executive, upon authorization of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, shall represent the city in all business transactions and sign on its behalf, all bonds, contracts and obligations.
The resolution asserted the membership of Baguio City to the organization should not involve any monetary obligation from the city government due to insufficient funds available for the said purpose.
The membership of Baguio City to the prestigious organization is part of the initiative of the organization to advance the aggressive promotion of Esports in the different areas of the country as the same is recognized as one of the sports events for competition during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) which will be hosted by the Philippines from November 30 to December 11, 2019.
The resolution claimed the membership to the PNEL is on a first come, first serve basis as after the registration period shall have been declared closed for interested local governments, succeeding interests that will be signified by the concerned local governments from the different parts of the country will have to pay the registration fee amounting to at least P500,000.
The approved resolution will be transmitted to the PNEL for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action, especially the scheduling of the signing of the draft agreement by both parties that will warrant the promotion of Esports in the city.
Proponents of the resolution expressed confidence that Esports enthusiasts in the city will be given a chance to city, regional, national and international exposure in the field of Esports which had already been accepted as one of the major fields of competition in different tournaments that will be conducted in the different parts of the world. Esports is now an emerging competition in the different parts of the world that is why the Philippines is trying to join the bandwagon for better chances of bringing home medals. By Dexter A. See
