Palaro to go on as scheduled - Dimaporo

Iligan City — The show will go on.

Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo expressed confidence that the Palarong Pambansa would be held as scheduled despite the latest attack by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels that left 16 people dead and at least 20 wounded and the recent calls for the games to be cancelled or transferred to another venue.

The governor said that after her phone conversation yesterday with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, she (Dimaporo) is optimistic that the Palaro would not be cancelled or held in another venue. However, she added that the President will make the announcement herself.

This developed as Lanao del Norte reiterated its desire and readiness to host the annual games set May 4-11, saying the crisis only strengthened its resolve to go on with the preparations for the annual games.

In fact, several leaders have already expressed their support for the Palaro. Among themare Rep. Alipio Badelles of the first district in Lanao del Norte, former congressman Abdullah Mangotara of the second district of Lanao del Norte, Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Iligan City Mayor Franklin Quijano, and all the town mayors of Lanao del Norte.

Gov. Dimaporo said that as chairperson of the Management Crisis Committee which was organized immediately on orders of the President, and during its meeting yesterday in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, the committee sent its positive recommendation to the President, together with a resolution of the committee to push through with the games as scheduled or moved to a later date but within the month of May.

"I am not worried about the security of the athletes and officials who will participate in the games because I have trust and confidence in the military and the police and the security plan for the Palaro which they have presented," said Gov. Dimaporo.

What worries her most is that some parents and contingents from the different regions in the country might change their minds and decide against coming over to Lanao.

"How can I appeal to them now?" said Dimaporo.

Still, she said she is glad that so far, not one region has cancelled its participation although an education official said the other day that five regions had already decided to forego participation.