KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/10 March) — The city government is set to submit a formal bid to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the hosting of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa.
City Mayor Peter Miguel said Monday they are currently preparing a comprehensive plan and program for the hosting of next year’s edition of the national games, which is returning anew to Mindanao after two years.
He said the local government has sought the endorsement of the Regional Development Council of Region 12 for its bid for the Palaro, which it plans to co-host with South Cotabato province.
Such move was part of their plans to make the hosting of the games a regional showcase should they win the bid, he said.
Koronadal City, which is a component city of South Cotabato, is the regional seat and center of Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region.
The region comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
Miguel said the city is more than capable of hosting the 2015 Palaro Pambansa based on its experiences in the hosting of three major sports events in the last two decades.
The city and South Cotabato province hosted the Palarong Pambansa in 1996 and 2007 and was among the main playing venues of the now defunct Palaro ng Bayan in 2000.
“We’re ready and determined to go all out for it,” the mayor told reporters.
The official said the hosting of the 2015 Palaro will mainly benefit the region’s athletic delegation, which has been renamed as the Soccsksargen Regional Athletic Association (SRAA) from the previous Cotabato RAA.
“The city will also reap tremendous benefits in terms of the business side and tourism promotion,” Miguel said.
Aside from the city, the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Butuan, Davao del Norte province and Tubod in Lanao del Norte have signified to vie for the hosting of the 2015 Palaro.
The mayor said the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa, which is held every May, is part of the city government’s plans to bring major national events and activities to the area next year to highlight the celebration of the area’s 75th foundation an anniversary.
Aside from the Palaro, he said they are planning to also bid for the hosting of the 2015 or 12th National Science Quest.
The event, which is an initiative of the Association of Science Educators in the Philippines, is considered as the biggest and most prestigious science competition in the country. (MindaNews)