GMA to revive Palarong Pambansa

BACOLOD CITY – The Palarong Pambansa may be back as the nation’s premier sporting event after being shelved for a year.

Bacolod City Representative Monico Puentevella said Monday he had talked with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself to agree on the revival of the meet despite the budgetary constraints.

"I was part of the RP delegation which went to Indonesia with the President two weeks back and I fortunately got to talk to her and she agreed to the revival of the Palaro," said Puentevella.

The former Philippine Sports commissioner said he is currently working with Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin in getting the needed fund — estimated to be worth P40 million – for the Palarong Pambansa, which was last held here in 2000.

Puentevella, who chairs the House Committee on Youth and Sports, stressed that the amount will only cover the actual staging of the national Palarong Pambansa and not its regional qualifying stages.

"The P40 million the Budget Department is trying to secure is only for the national Palarong Pambansa," said Puentevella. "We don’t know if that amount can cover the expenses for the regional eliminations but we hope the Department of Education shoulders it."

While optimistic of getting the needed funds, Puentevella said they have yet to determine the venue and the exact date of the Palarong Pambansa although he hinted that the games may be held in Luzon in either April or May next year.

"We don’t have the specific venues and date yet but it’s a big possibility that the Palarong Pambansa would be staged North either in April or May next year," said Puentevella.

As this developed, Puentevella is also working out the possibility of the Commission on Higher Education Games to be held simultaneously with the Palarong Pambansa although they would need another P10 million to fund the event for college students. — Joey Villar