President to grace Palaro rites today

NAGA CITY -— President Arroyo will declare open the 2002 Palarong Pambansa at the newly-refurbished Metro Naga Sports Complex today with the hope of inspiring the close to 6,000 elementary and high school student-athletes to strive harder in pursuit of sports excellence.

"I want to see our children enjoy their time as youths and who knows, maybe in the near future, these same children who are products of the Palarong Pambansa would become some of our greatest sports heroes," said the President in a press statement released yesterday.

"I have decided to push for the Palaro because I also wanted to see our young athletes compete and witness how they foster camaraderie among themselves and most of all, see first hand how disciplined our athletes are because I’m sure our future sports leaders and heroes will come from their ranks," she added.

Education Secretary Raul Roco and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain will join the President in the opening ceremonies of the event that was cancelled twice in the last three years due to budgetary constraints. It was nearly reset this year due to the delay in the release of its budget.

Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo and PSC commissioners William Ramirez, Leon Montemayor, Mike Barredo and Cynthia Carrion will also grace the opener. While in Naga City, the President is also scheduled to hold a Cabinet meeting and consultations with local officials. — Joey Villar