MANILA, Philippines - The 2016 installment of Palarong Pambansa will take place in Legazpi City, Albay, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced in a press release.
The decision was made after deliberation by officials from DepEd and the Philippine Sports Commission. Albay beat out its only competitor - Tuguegarao City, Cagayan - to host the annual national competition for Philippine youth.
Before announcing the results of the vote, Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro, FSC asked both provinces to continue supporting the agency’s sports development program, saying: "Sana ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang inyong naka-atas na mga programa para sa sports sa inyong probinsiya at sana makasama pa po kayo ng DepEd at ng PSC doon sa iba pang sports events. Mayroon po tayong Batang Pinoy, Philippine National Games, at iba pang programa.”
(“We hope that you will continue what you have started in sports and other programs in the provinces. We also hope you can be with DepEd and PSC in other sports events such as Batang Pinoy, Philippine National Game and many more.”)
The final choice was made based on voting results by the Palarong Pambansa Board chaired by the education Secretary.
“We reviewed the recommendations from the regions and had our own deliberations. We went through billeting, facilities, your presentations, including readiness of our regions, as well as other considerations that are specific to 2016. Ang nanalo po with a very, very slim margin is Albay” Luistro declared.
Before the bidding and official presentations of the two provinces, DepEd and PSC technical officials inspected each venue last June to see if the facilities and billeting areas are adequate.
PSC Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez presented to the body the rating system used which included international standards, distance from the main complex, power supply, and security, among others.
DepEd’s Schools Sports Events and Activities Unit Head Cesar Abalon reported on the status of the billeting areas, which are evaluated based on the sufficiency of rooms, bathrooms, kitchen areas and medical provisions.
With a budget of P300M, Albay Governor Joey Salceda assured the Palarong Pambansa Board that Albay has the equipment and resources needed to construct and repair its sports facilities and playing venues as soon as possible. – Rappler.com