Palaro closes today; Vice President Sara may attend

CEBU, Philippines — After missing the opening ceremonies, Vice President and outgoing Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte is expected to attend the closing ceremonies of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) later this afternoon, July 16, 2024.

Duterte’s security and protocol team have already been conducting inspections at the CCSC for the past two days, which acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia said can be an indication that the VP will be present.

He, however, admitted that there is no direct confirmation on her end for her attendance.

Senator Imee Marcos, along with her son, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc are also expected to attend.

Ilocos Norte will be hosting the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, particularly Laoag City, and Manotoc was already in Cebu yesterday to visit the CCSC and other playing venues and billeting areas.

In a press conference, Manotoc praised Cebu City for its hosting of this year’s Palaro and said they will match or even surpass it as they host the sporting event next year.

Even before formally being awarded as next year’s host of the Palaro, Manotoc has already been inviting Cebuanos and the rest of the country to experience Laoag and the rest of Ilocos Norte.

"The challenge now is to match and be better than Cebu," Manotoc said, according the Cebu City's information office.

Further, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other Capitol officials are also expected in this afternoon’s event as the Cebu Provincial Government is sponsoring the closing ceremony.

“Naay special appearance si Gov. Gwen sa closing,” said DepEd-Cebu City’s Assistant Schools Superintendent Adolf Aguilar to reporters yesterday.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia said with Capitol shouldering the budget for the closing ceremony, the Cebu City Government can save at least P8 million.

Suspended Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, who is back after an out-of-town travel, is also anticipated to attend the event if VP Sara will indeed show-up.

Rama only smiled though when he was asked for confirmation of his attendance during a press conference at CCSC.

Province’s festivals to be showcased

With the Capitol funding the closing ceremony, participants of the weeklong multi-sporting event will get a glimpse of Cebu Province’s festivals.

“This closing ceremony is sponsored by the (Cebu) Province, ang mga galastohan. So ipakita gud sa closing kung unsa ang Pasigarbo sa isla sa Cebu, sa probinsya sa Cebu so ang mga festivals coming from all over the province will be highlighted sa atong closing ceremony,” added Aguilar.

The closing ceremony is also supposed to be free, but tickets have been distributed for crowd control.

“Actually gud, free ang paglantaw sa closing ceremony but for safety purposes, naay mga tickets control the number of people coming in kay di paman gud makaya ang sobra kadaghan sulod sa sports complex.

It’s the Provincial Government that will be handling that, ang distribution kung kinsay manglantaw and I think all the mayors and vice mayors of the entire province will be witnessing also, as a show of support for the Palarong Pambansa,” Aguilar added.

“We would like to have a grand send-off to our athletes and to celebrate the success of the games of Cebuanos working together to deliver a remarkable Palarong Pambansa,” Aguilar added.

During the flag raising ceremony yesterday at the Cebu City Hall, Mayor Garcia addressed the Cebu City Hall employees and urged them to not let their guards down as they brace for the closing of the Palaro.

He likewise commended the efforts of each employee who contributed to the city’s journey towards the whole process of the Palaro hosting.

Security

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has taken all measures to ensure that the culmination of Palarong Pambansa 2024 will be held peacefully today.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-7 Director Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, said they held a final security conference to check the preparations made by the various police units for the closing activity.

Pelare said that Brigadier General Aberin is satisfied with the security coverage made by the Cebu City Police Office, Cebu Police Provincial Office, Mandaue City Police Office and Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, not only during the Palarong Pambansa 2024, but also in other events held in Cebu over the past week.

Along with the Palarong Pambansa, the National Schools Press Conference, the National Festival of Talents, and the Learners Convergence also took place in Carcar City, Naga City and Lapu-Lapu City. —  Romeo Marantal (FREEMAN)