DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – The province of Negros Oriental won the bid to host the Palarong Pambansa 2013, according to Governor Roel Degamo who said his office received a confirmation fax letter on Wednesday from the Department of Education.
DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, in his letter dated last October 24, said the decision for Negros Oriental to host the Palaro “was reached after a tedious selection and deliberation process taking into consideration the presentations made last Oct. 19 and the report provided by the technical committee composed of officials of the DepEd and the Philippine Sports Commission”.
The final choice was based on voting results by the Palarong Pambansa Board where 19 members were present during the voting. The letter said Dumaguete (referring to Negros Oriental) won with 11 votes over its neighboring province and contender, Negros Occidental, who got seven votes, the DepEd letter showed.
At least two conditions have been set for the governor/provincial government to comply with in the next two weeks for the Palaro hosting. These are a formal letter of commitment to host the 2013 Palarong Pambansa indicating the provincial government’s offer of counterpart funding for the successful holding of the event and signing a memorandum of agreement to firm up the roles and obligations of the DepEd and the provincial government.
Degamo said he was very happy that, for the first time, Negros Oriental has successfully won the bidding in hosting the national games. Former governors of Negros Oriental had also tried their luck in bidding to host the Palaro but failed.
The governor said he will be meeting with the Provincial School Board to discuss matters like preparation, accommodations, security and facilities for the Palaro.
Degamo was confident that the provincial government in cooperation with DepEd can make everything ready before the Palarong Pambansa in April 2013. He said the government is setting aside an initial P7 million for the counterpart fund as required for the hosting of the annual event. The money will be taken from the Special Education Fund of the provincial government.
According to Provincial Administrator Arnel Francisco they are expecting a conservative estimate of at least 7,000 to 10,000 delegates and technical staff for the Palarong Pambansa.
Negros Oriental will also be hosting the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVRAA) in December. (FREEMAN)