Lanao del Norte to bid for Batang Pinoy meet

Tubod, Lanao del Norte, next year’s host of the Palarong Pambansa, has also expressed its intention to stage the Philippine National Youth Games or Batang Pinoy this year.

Philippine Sports commissioner William "Butch" Ramirez said yesterday the Dimaporos — Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda and Congressman Abdullah "Bobby" — have informed the sports agency of Lanao’s Batang Pinoy bid.

"Gov. Imelda Dimaporo and Congressman Bobby Dimaporo have shown great interest in Batang Pinoy, maybe as a prelude to Lanao del Norte’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa next year," said Ramirez, a known proponent of the PSC’s sports for peace program in Mindanao.

Tubod’s entry makes it a two-way race for the hosting of the multi-sports meet for athletes aged 12 years and below which is usually staged in the latter part of the year. Palawan is the other bidder.

Ramirez said that since the PSC has the last say in deciding where the Batang Pinoy would be held, there is a strong chance that Tubod might be the next venue for the four-year event last staged in Bacolod City.

Ramirez and fellow commissioner Leon Montemayor, who are both from Davao, reportedly may support Tubod’s Batang Pinoy bid.

There were also reports that Lanao del Norte decided to bid for the hosting of Batang Pinoy since the Dimaporos are apprehensive that the Department of Education might oppose the holding of the Palarong Pambansa in Tubod.

"Lanao del Norte wants to host the Batang Pinoy because it is expecting the DepEd to oppose its Palarong Pambansa bid," said The Star source. — Joey Villar