Palaro officials move to overcome heat wave

MANILA, Philippines - The Palarong Pambansa fires off tomorrow at the Tarlac Recreational Park in San Jose, Tarlac with organizers vowing to increase water supply and add more medical tents to address the heat problem that has marred past Palaro stagings.

“Regions have always brought their own medical teams but we’re emphasizing the awareness of the hazards of heat besides the usual sports related injuries,” said Len Toledo, who heads the Department of Education’s Palaro Task Force.

“We’ve also asked the host province for additional tents and water dispensers at the playing venues,” he added.

The DepEd earlier announced the suspension of all games from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to prevent heat stroke while monitoring of the athletes will also be a priority.

“Aside from the four-hour mid-noon break, we would also constantly monitor everyone,” said Macky Escalona, a former Ateneo standout and Brgy. Ginebra player who is now host Gov. Vic Yap’s executive assistant.

The four-hour stoppage is being implemented for the first time in the history of the annual multi-sports meet for elementary and high school athletes as a precaution against the heat stroke that has claimed two lives and hundreds of victims in the 2007 edition in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

“We’re not taking chances,” said Toledo.

Meanwhile, several regional delegations, including Davao and Central Visayas, have arrived as early as this week for the games sponsored by Smart.

Smart big boss Manny V. Pangilinan will usher in the weeklong meet to be participated in by 17 regions, headed by powerhouse teams National Capital Region, Western Visayas and Calabarzon.

Events on tap are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and volleyball.

Aside from the main hub, some of the events will be held at the Tarlac Plazuela in Tarlac City, the Victoria covered court in Victoria town, Sunrise Subdivision, Lapuz Coliseum, Bayanihan Institute, Provincial Capitol gym, Hacienda Luisita, Paniqui Court, San Sebastian Court, Diwa ng Tarlac Park, Nolcom Park, Don Bosco, San Isidro Covered Court, CLDH Covered Court, San Rafael Covered Court and the Ecumenical Christian College.