DepEd Secretary Edilberto de Jesus noted that the agency has been in close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission and local executives in Lanao del Norte to prevent any untoward incident during the Palaro.
De Jesus added that local officials have already invited DepEd officials in Tubod to show the "very impressive" facility there and for them to have a "sense of peace" in the area.
He said that local officials have been preparing for the sportsfest and those who have contacts with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) even got an assurance from some rebel leaders that "they will not disrupt the games."
"It would be possible to hold the games in Tubod," he added.
Meanwhile, the PSC will not only be hardpressed to make do with its P74.288 million budget the Congress appropriated this year, but also with the meager P10 million allotted to fund this year’s Palarong Pambansa, an annual multi-sports meet for high school and elementary students, tentatively set May 4-11.
A PSC insider, who requested anonymity, said that the Congress-approved PSC budget might lead to the cancellation of the planned regional games —Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao — and its culminating national meet.
There is also the possibility that the lack of funds might affect the staging of the Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy, a yearly grassroots development program by the PSC for athletes aged 13 years and below tentatively set in January next year at a still unspecified venue.
"The budget appropriated by Congress to the PSC is really small," said The STAR source. "Siyempre ang pinaka-apektado dito ay yung grassroots develoPment program ng PSC."
Buhain is scheduled to return today along with his assistants Ike Buan and Sean Solis and consultant Tatz Suzara from Australia. — With report from Joey Villar