DECS order paves way for robust B Pinoy cast

Department of Education, Culture and Sports Secretary Raul Roco recently signed a memorandum circular ordering public school children and teachers participating in the third Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy set from Dec. 1 to 7 to be excused from classes during the meet proper.

Philippine Sports commissioner and Batang Pinoy project director Amparo "Weena" Lim said she was able to secure the order from Roco together with commissioners Ritchie Garcia and Cynthia Carrion in their meeting last Tuesday.

House Committee on Youth and Sports chairman Monico Puentevella of host Bacolod City also had a hand in securing the memorandum since the former PSC commissioner has been in constant meeting with Roco.

Roco’s circular thus paved the way for a huge turnout for the games since majority of the participants come from public schools. Lim said the memorandum is currently being disseminated to the various local sports councils.

While it lauds the DECS for its support to the Batang Pinoy Games, the PSC also extends its gratitude to the Department of the Interior and Local Government under Joey Lina, who is a strong supporter of the annual games exclusively for children 12 years and below.

"We at the PSC have renewed our partnership with the DECS for the development of RP sports especially at the grassroots," said Lim. "And we hope to produce some exemplary athletes in the molds of our present national team members." — Joey Villar