Palarong Pambansa 2009 set to open on April 28 at Leyte Sports Development Center
The Palarong Pambansa 2009 Executive Committee held its final meeting on Friday to iron out things and insure the smooth and successful conduct of the competition which will open on April 28 at the newly-renovated Leyte Sports Development Center here.
The meeting was presided by Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla and Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Director Sol F. Matugas at the Governor’s Hall of Leyte’s Provincial Capitol building. It was attended by the heads of different government agencies and other sectors.
It was learned from the discussion of the members of the committee that aside from minor concerns, it’s all-systems go for the Palarong Pambansa 2009. The different playing venues and sports facilities are already prepared.
Director Matugas informed that the billeting schools are ready to accommodate the delegations of 17 regions. As early as April 11, delegates from different regions, including the host region Eastern Visayas, have started to arrive here. Delegates who are already here are from Regions IV-A (CALABARZON), X (Northern Mindanao), V (Bicol Region) and XI (Davao Region).
One of the concerns that still need to be addressed, according to the Executive Committee, is the water supply of billeting schools, specially those which are situated in Tacloban City area. The lack of water is already felt by Region V delegation which is housed at the San Fernando Elementary School here.
To counter this problem, the general manager of Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD), Nestor Villasin, proposed to borrow fire trucks from nearby towns and provinces which will be used to supply water to the billeting schools.
Meanwhile, Governor Petilla disclosed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised him additional budget for the Palarong Pambansa. He said he had a chance to meet the President before she returned to Manila after she visited Southern Leyte and Biliran provinces recently. However, the President did not specify the amount and the date of release of the fund, he clarified.
Petilla added that Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nierras is the one who will follow-up this matter.
In terms of transportation of delegates who are housed outside Tacloban City, shuttle buses are also ready.
The National Capital Region (NCR) has the farthest billeting school situated in the municipality of Dulag, which is more of less 20 kilometers away from the sports center. The Province of Biliran has already sent eight buses and Calbayog City sent four buses.
The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army have already joined forces to provide security to all participants.
In a related development, through the local media, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez warmly welcomed the Palarong Pambansa participants and he also informed the public that he has already met the city police chief and the city environment officer to make sure that their stay here will be safe and pleasant.
