To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau/Regional Directors
Schools Superintendents
Private Elementary and Secondary School Principals
Chairman, CHED

1. PALARONG PAMBANSA AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE PHILIPPINE CENTENNIAL
   On the occasion of the Philippine Centennial in 1998, the DECS will conduct the Palarong Pambansa in the spirit of unity by bringing together all the regions in the country into one family in delivering a harmonious athlete-oriented, technically excellent, culturally enhancing multi-level national integrated games.
2. STATEMENT OF POLICY
   The Palaro Board has adapted new policy guidelines which are basically focused on furthering and enhancing the development of the ATHLETES, for the attainment of excellence. Along this line: the Palaro shall also adapt the best international practices and standards, taking into consideration local practices to prepare our athletes in the advent of the next millennium.
3. HOST OF THE PALARONG PAMBANSA 1993
   The Province of Negros Occidental with the City of Bacolod and all of the Western Visayas Region are honored to host the Palarong Pambansa set on April 19-25, 1998. The main venue will be constructed on an environment friendly site to enable athletes perform their best in the ambiance of nature.
4. DECS CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM
   His Excellency President FIDEL V. RAMOS will be the Guest of Honor and Speaker at the Opening Ceremonies. Cabinet Members, Diplomats and Foreign Dignitaries, Members of both Houses of the Congress, local executives, and all other government officials, NGO’s and other VIPs will be invited to attend this historic occasion.All of us in the DECS Family once again is expected to implement the project in the tradition of excellence and highest standard of professionalism.
5. DEMONSTRATION SPORTS
   New sports events will be included as demonstration sports. (Please see Annex A)
6. NEW REGULAR PALARO SPORT
   Gymnastics which was successfully implemented in the 1997 Palarong Pambansa as a demonstration sport will now be a regular sport in the Palaro.
7. MODIFIED OLYMPIC MEDAL SYSTEM
   To determine the champions in each division (elementary, secondary and tertiary), the following number of medals shall be given to each sports based on the CORE TEAM Membership as its equivalent. (Please see Annex B)
8. PARTICIPATION OF NATIONAL ATHLETES
   National Athletes are allowed to participate in the games provided they are:
   8.1 Bonafide student and satisfy the age requirement
   8.2 Maximum of two (2) national athletes per team sport event
   8.3 National athletes shall represent his/her regions of origin. They are exempted in the requirement of participating in lower meets. The regions may arrange for their inclusion.
   8.4 To insure the safety of the athletes, combative sports (regular or demonstration) such as boxing, judo, wrestling, karatedo, taekwondo. The requesting NSA shall assist the Palaro Board to determine on case to case basis whether national athletes shall be allowed to participate.
9. SCREENING OF ATHLETES RECORDS AND INTERVIEWS
   All regions shall conduct screening and interview of athletes and examination of records during the preliminary meets.National screening will be conducted two weeks prior to the opening of the Palarong Pambansa.
10. TECHINICAL MANAGEMENT AND GAMES ADMINISTRATION
    The BPESS shall manage the game for the Basic Education while CHED for the Tertiary and the POC/NSA’s to provide assistance in a unified and integrated system.
11. EFFECTTVTTY
    Provisions of previous DECS Memoranda, Orders, issuances not rescinded by this Order are still in effect.
12. IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTION
    For compliant

Incl.:
As stated
Reference:
DECS Order: No. 61, s. 1996
Allotment: 1—(D.O. 50 97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
ATHLETICS
OFFICIALS
SCHOOLS
STUDENTS

DO_s1997_61