They are ready for hosting one of the biggest sporting events this year but due to some unfortunate events, Occidental Mindoro let go of the opportunity to welcome athletes of the 2020 Palarong Pambansa.
Occidental Mindoro was forced to withdraw from Palarong Pambansa hosting after it was devastated by Typhoon “Tisoy” in November, with damages amounting to more than P800 million.
The supposed budget for the hosting of the sporting event was allocated by the local government unit instead to help the victims of the said typhoon. It was supposed to be Occidental Mindoro’s first time to host Palarong Pambansa and the second in the Mimaropa region after Puerto Princesa City hosted the games in 2008.
After the withdrawal, Marikina City steps in as the new host of the 2020 edition, as announced by the Department of Education (DepEd).
In a memorandum released by DepEd undersecretary Atty. Revsee Escobedo, Palarong Pambansa secretary-general, the Division of Marikina City was tasked to submit a list of possible sporting venues and billeting areas for the delegates.
This will be the first time for them to host Palarong Pambansa. It was also the fifth time that the sporting event will be held in National Capital Region, first since Quezon City played host in 1966.
This year’s Palaro will start third week of February wherein 20,000 student-athletes along with their coaches and coaching staff are expected to compete in various sports disciplines.IMT
