STA. MARCELA, APAYAO – The Department of Education is negotiating for additional funding of regional palaro events in the country on top of the regular budget being given annually.
This was announced by DepEd Secretary Leonor M. Briones during her visit to the province of Apayao in time for the 2019 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet.
Briones said the additional funding if approved would help improve the conduct of regional sports events as a qualifying stage to the Palarong Pambansa. The amount however, is yet to be determined in the national level.
DepEd Cordillera have allocated P3 million from its MOOE for the conduct of CARAA 2019 and this was augmented by DepEd Apayao with an undisclosed amount from the national government primarily utilized for the improvement of their billeting schools as well as additional operational fund from the PLGU Apayao.
The secretary underscored the need to develop and improve sports facilities in the grassroots level to capacitate the athletes that conforms to national standards.
“For a grassroots athlete to excel in national competitions, he/she must train in a sports facility that conforms with national standard,” Briones said.
Meantime, Atty. Revsee Escobedo, DepEd chief of operations and Palarong Pambansa secretary general, said that local government units should develop their sports facilities should they wish to host the annual Palarong Pambansa.
He said the DepEd have revised its rules and procedures in the conduct of its bidding for the hosting of Palaro to give ample time of preparation.
“We used to bid the Palaro hosting yearly but now we have revised it and advance the bidding for three years so that the winning bidder can prepare well,” Escobedo said.
Escobedo said DepEd selects the winning bidder for the Palaro host based on the status of playing venues for indoor and otdoor games as well as sports facilities such as rubberized track oval and swimming arena, among others. Billeting facilities for over 20,000 Palaro delegates from 17 regions is also considered including access and transportation.
Jessa Mardy Polonio-Samidan/PIO
