Curtain to finally rise on Palaro

Tubod, Lanao del Norte — The thrice-postponed Palarong Pambansa which is scheduled to be held here, will formally open on Oct. 25.

Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo said yesterday that after the Mindanao Friendship Games, which is scheduled on the third week of October in Mati, Davao Oriental, all pieces of equipments of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will be transported and installed at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) here, the venue of the games.

All other preparations such as billeting, security, logistics and other details have already been made and the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 10 office will soon send its staff to familiarize their Lanao del Norte counterparts on the conduct of the annual sports events.

As for the security preparations, Maj. Gen. Cristolito Balaoing, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division, earlier said that troops from the first Marine Brigade will be deployed in Lanao del Norte at least one week before the games start or when participating athletes and sports officials start arriving here.

At least some 8,000 sports officials and athletes are expected to participate in this year’s Palaro.

Gov. Dimaporo said she has requested the military to start deployment of troops at least two weeks earlier from the scheduled opening. The Marines will be augmented by policemen from the Philippine National Police Office (PNPO) Region 10, apart from the provincial police force.

Dimaporo also said there were no problem far as other technical and financial matters are concerned .

Lanao del Norte’s commitments and the conditions on the agreements contained in its bid to host the Palaro have been complied with, Dimaporo added.