Trouble-free Palaro eyed

The 2003 Palarong Pambansa is expected to be free of major hitches come May 4-11 after officials of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Education (DepEd) reiterated an agreement for a successful staging of the games at the Mindanao Sports and Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

"All systems are go. Preparations have been in high gear the past two months and all the various committees have already been set up and are in place," said PSC chairman Eric Buhain.

Buhain also said a memorandum circular from Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus encouraging all DepEd regional offices to throw their full support behind the Palaro was expected to be out yesterday.

"Secretary de Jesus is 100 percent behind the Palaro’s success. Everything is in place, including security measures committed by the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces, Lanao del Norte citizenry and even the MILF to ensure the success of the Palaro," said Buhain.

Buhain also bared that logistical requirements are steadfastly moving for the country’s biggest athletic talent search, which is expected to showcase at least 5,000 student-athletes.

Except for the National Capital Region and Region 7 (Western Visayas), 14 regions all over the country have submitted their entries with parental consent to the Palaro. The entries of the two regions are expected soon by the PSC when their rosters have been completed.

President Arroyo approved recently the release of P30 million from the Presidential Social Fund through the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. in addition to the P10 million Congress-approved budget in the General Appropriations Fund for the games.

Lanao del Norte has started bidding for the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa since 1997 and is now given the go signal after giving way to Bacolod in 2000 and Naga City last year.

The P500 million 18-hectare Mindanao Sports and Civic Center in Tubod has played host to several regional meets such as the first Mindanao Friendship Games, PSC Top Start program, DepEd CMRAA regional games, and Kasibulan Football for Peace.