Iloilo confident of trouble-free Palaro

ILOILO CITY — Notwithstanding the reported water shortage in the various billeting schools around the city, organizers of this year’s Palarong Pambansa are confident of a smooth staging of the multi-sports event which fires off tomorrow here.

"On a scale of one to 10, I rate our preparedness at nine," said Division of Iloilo Schools superintendent Raymundo Lapating, executive director for this year’s Palaro, during a press conference Friday.

The annual sports event, featuring some 6,000 athletes, will officially kick off at 3 p.m. tomorrow with a half-kilometer parade starting at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol and ending at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

Senate President Franklin Drilon and Education Secretary Florencio Abad along with Education Undersecretary Ramon Bacani head the roster of guests gracing the event.

President Arroyo has also been invited but is unsure to make it in time for the opening of the week-long competitions.

Ernesto Nordesta, chief of operations and Lapating’s administrative officer, said that everything is in place for the meet.

Delegations from the 16 regions as well as the technical officials are billeted in 17 public elementary and high schools in Iloilo City and in the neighboring towns of Oton, Sta. Barbara and Pavia. Water trucks have reportedly been dispatched to provide water to the billeting areas.