PASIG CITY, March 21, 2017 – Following the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Provincial Government of Antique for the upcoming 2017 Palarong Pambansa on April 23 to 29 in the municipality of San Jose de Buenavista, the Technical Working Committee headed by the DepEd Schools Sports Division (SSD), conducted the Palarong Pambansa Technical Conference at Adelaide Tourist and Travelers Inn in Antique.

The conference aims to update the participants on the developments, final plans, and preparations of the host LGU; to discuss findings of inspection on the billeting and playing venues and the developments made based on the recommendations submitted by the regional sports  coordinators and tournament managers; to discuss other concerns of the national  screening and accreditation process; to come up with final arrangements for local transportation and other basic requirements; and to provide the list of accredited officiating officials.

“It’s our pleasure to host this 2017 Palaro. With our resources, we will try our best to make this Palaro enjoyable for everybody. Your inputs on this three-day conference will be our guide on how to be ready for the final inspection on March 22-23. We welcome your suggestions and recommendations,” OIC-Region VI Director Gemma Ledesma said.

Activities with the different local working committees include presentation of Guidelines on Clean, Green, and Eco-Friendly Palaro; ocular inspection of playing and billeting venues; and discussion of technical guidelines of the different sports events. The conference is a follow-up activity to the Organization and Planning Conference with the host LGU held last December 2016.

The participants of the said conference are the Regional Sports Coordinators, Tournament Managers, SSD staff, selected members of the National Technical Working Committee, and the host LGU/ Region/ Division Offices.

“We are very happy for the province of Antique for hosting the 2017 Palaro. This activity is very important. I hope that we meet our objectives come April 23 because all of us cooperated and gave our full support to the successful conduct of the Palaro,” Bureau of Learner Support Services Director IV Rizalino Jose Rosales said.

The DepEd is mandated to promote physical education and encourage sports programs to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence through the conduct of annual Palarong Pambansa, which is pursuant to R.A. 10588, otherwise known as the “Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013.”

This year’s theme is “2017 Palarong Pambansa: Converges Youth Power, Builds Sustainable Future,” which highlights the role of the youth in building a better future.

END