To: Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries
Bureau/Regional Directors
Division Schools Superintendents
Presidents of State Colleges and Universities
Heads of Private Schools and Universities

Corrigendum and Addendum to DECS Order No. 51, s. 1997 are hereby issued to amend, modify and clarify guidelines on the conduct of the 1998 Palarong Pambansa and its preliminary meets.

1. TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
   Regional and Division PESS Supervisors may be assigned as Technical Officials in the sport of their specialization. However, the number of Supervisors in any sport shall not be more than two (2), PESS Supervisors (Regional/Division) who are not assigned as Technical Officials shall be given responsibilities by the Regional Office in the Regional Athletic Delegation. Incentives and amenities shall be provided them by the BPESS in addition to what they may receive from the Region.
2. COACHES AND TRAINERS
   The number of coaches for all events in the Memo remains, but the Region is given the privilege to increase the number if needed. However, expenses of the additional trainers who may also serve as coaches shall be shouldered by the Region.
3. BADMINTON AND TABLE TENNIS
   In Badminton and Table Tennis, Mixed Doubles shall be added. The single elimination format shall be followed in all competitions (Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles).
4. ARCHERY
   The FIT A Standard Olympic Round (50 and 30 meter distances), as recommended by NAAP, shall be implemented in the 1998 Palarong Pambansa Archer/ Tournament.
5. DEMONSTRATION SPORTS
   The respective NSAs of the demonstration sports for this year’s Palaro shall be responsible for their equipment, supplies, and technical officials. BPESS shall provide the uniform, transportation, and board and lodging of the technical officials.
6. SERVICE CREDIT
   Service credit equivalent to ten (10) days shall be given to all Technical Officials, Coaches, Chaperons, Delegation Officials, and members of the host working committees of the Palaro.
7. CORRECTED NUMBER OF ATHLETES, COACHES, CHAPERONS, Etc.
   (Please see Annex A)
   7.1 Chess (Elementary)
   7.1.1 There shall be a separate competition in Boys and Girls.
   7.1.2 There shall be two (2) entries and one (1) coach in each Division.
   7.2 Chess (Secondary)
   7.2.1 There shall be one (1) coach for girls.
   7.3 Gymnastics (Elementary & Secondary)
   7.3.1 Number of entries
   7.3.1.1 Three (3) for Boys (MAG) for each level
   7.3.1.2 Three (3) for Girls (WAG) for each level
   7.3.1.3 Three (3) for Girls (RSG) for each level
8. CORRECTED CORE MEDAL SYSTEM (Please see Annex B)
   The Core Medal System shall only apply to Team Sports. In sports with individual events, the medal count shall be on the number of events. Dual sports and relays are considered as one event each.
9. SCREENING OF ATHLETES’ RECORDS AND INTERVIEWS
   9.1 All Regions shall conduct screening and interview of athletes and examination of records during the preliminary meets. Screening of athletes in the Palaro shall be two (2) weeks prior to the Meet.
   9.2 Age Requirement
   The cut-off age for the elementary athletes is January 1, 1985, while for the secondary, January 1, 1979.
   9.3 Residency Rule
   The one-year residency rule has been modified to allow transfer of student- athletes from one region to another at the beginning of the school year. Student-athletes who transferred after enrolment period of the current school year are disqualified.
10. PARTICIPATION OF NATIONAL ATHLETES
    10.1 Section 8.4 of DECS Order No. 61, s. 1997 should be stated as: To insure the safety of the athletes in the different combative sports (regular or demonstration), the National Athletes of Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, Karatedo, and Taekwondo shall not be allowed to participate in the Palaro.
    10.2 Gymnastics is only in its first year in the Palaro as a regular event. To give the new athletes in gymnastics a chance to compete at their own level of skills, members of the National Gymnastics Team and the National Developmental Pool shall not be allowed to participate in this year’s Palarong Pambansa.
11. PALARO EVENTS IN THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS (Please see Annex C)
12. Provisions of previous DECS memoranda, orders, and other issuances not rescinded by this Older are still in effect.
13. For compliance.

Incl.: As stated
Reference: DECS Order: (No. 61, s. 1997)
Allotment: 1—(D.O. 50-97)

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