To: Under secretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau/Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents
Private Elementary and Secondary School Principals

1. PALARONG PAMBANSA INTO THE 21ST CENTURY
   The Palarong Pambansa will continue to provide the appropriate environment for elementary and secondary school students to demonstrate learned behaviors in their physical education program. Sports competition as one of the valued program components is designed to further athletic talent/abilities as well as nurture pupils/students human and social values. The Palarong Pambansa in the context of the new millennium will relentlessly and vigorously pursue its noble global vision of preparing the youth to become physically educated person, who has the skills and values necessary to maintain a healthy and quality life and become an empowered and responsible citizen.
2. INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT
   In the implementation of the program, the Estrada Administration policy of consolidating government resources, establish partnership, linkages and teamwork among government agencies, private sectors and civic organizations shall be observed in order to implement cohesive, coherent, responsive and effective national sports development program.
3. HOST OF THE MILLENNIUM PALARONG PAMBANSA
   This year’s host will be the province of Lanao del Norte, municipality of Tubod scheduled on May 21-28, 2000. The host province commitment to pursue development in the spirit of unity, peace and teamwork befits well with the nation’s vision of growth with equity.
4. MANAGEMENT OF THE PALARO
   4.1 The: PSC in coordination with DECS shall manage the Palarong Pambansa in accordance with the provisions of E.O. No. 81. It shall provide policy guidelines for its conduct including the preliminary meets;
   4.2 DECS Regional Offices shall be in charge of the preparation and participation of their respective delegation.
   4.3 The host province/city government in coordination with host DECS Regional Office and school divisions shall be responsible for the preparation and arrangement of facilities, billeting quarters, sports equipment, amenities and other activities during the Palaro;
   4.4 The PSC, DECS, DILG, host local government, all national government agencies, civic organizations, NGOs, shall constitute the different Palaro working committees such as ceremonials, publicity, security, sanitation, communication, socio-cultural, economic and ecological activities, medical and other committees deemed necessary; and
   4.5 PSC, DECS and the different National Sports Associations (NSAs) shall be in charge of the technical game management and administration. Selection of technical officials shall be based upon the results of the 1998 National Accreditation Examination as per DECS Memorandum No. 364. s. 1999. This will be augmented by the different NSAs should the need be necessary.
5. PALARO SPORTS EVENTS
   Sports events to be played in the Palaro is presented in Annex A, while the budget sub-¬allotted to the different regional offices for their participation is shown in Annex B.
6. SCHEDULE OF PALARO ACTIVITIES
   6.1 For finalization and adoption of tournament rules, the Technical Committee together with all tournament managers, tournament secretary, DECS Regional sports representatives and secretariat officials shall meet on March 23-25, 2000 at PSC Office, Bldg. A, Philsports, Pasig City. PSC will provide board and lodging while transportation expenses shall be charged to respective local funds; and
   6.2 The Executive Committee of the host province and chairmen of the different working committees shall meet on March 30-31, 2000 at Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
7. SCREENING OF ATHLETES RECORDS AND INTERVIEWS
   All regions shall conduct final re-screening and interview of athletes and examination of records during the preliminary meets.National screening will be conducted one week prior to the opening of the Palaro.
8. SUMMER CAMP
   As a follow-up activity, the PSC shall conduct a Summer Sports Training Camp for winners of the 1999 Batang Pinoy, Palaro ng Bayan and Palarong Pambansa for the following sports in athletics, swimming, chess, taekwondo and gymnastics. Philippine Volleyball Team for boys and girls ages 18 years and below shall be organized and train for the forthcoming ASEAN Schools Volleyball Championship in August. Guidelines on the said training camp shall be finalized during the technical committee meeting.
9. EFFECTIVITY OF PREVIOUS DECS MEMORANDUMS AND ORDERS
   All DECS Memorandums and DECS Orders concerning Palaro not rescinded nor amended by this Memorandum are still in effect.
10. IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTION.
    For the information, guidance and compliance of all concerned.

Encls.:
As stated
Reference:
DECS Memorandum: (No. 364, s. 1999)
Allotment: 1–(D O. 50-97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
ATHLETICS
COMMITTEES

DO_s2000_15