City to host Palaro 2024

MANILA, Philippines — After 30 years, the Palarong Pambansa, the biggest multi-sporting event for student-athletes in the country, returns to Cebu City.

This came after the city government won the bidding for the 2024 edition over Negros Occidental and Antique.

"On behalf of the City of Cebu, I..formally accept the hosting of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa, with great honor and pride. This is a huge task and responsibility. But I assure you, that our City is ready and willing to rise to the occasion," said Mayor Michael Rama during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Palaro in Marikina City

"I am grateful to the Department of Education, led by Vice President and (Education) Secretary Sara Duterte...and to the Palarong Pambansa Governing Board, for the trust and confidence in Cebu City to host this prestigious event," he added.

He promised that Cebu City will "deliver a Palarong Pambansa that will be remembered."

Cebu City first hosted the Palarong Pambansa event in 1954 and last hosted it in 1994.

“Our city, Cebu, has always shown a dedicated commitment to education and sports–the two pillars that have shaped me into who I am today. We stand firmly with the Department of Education in our shared belief that learning extends beyond classrooms and onto the playing field,” City Councilor Dondon Hontiveros also said.

Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) Chairman John Pages, on the other hand, emphasized “team effort” as the main factor to winning the bid.

“It was a long process that began last year when Mayor Mike Rama and the Cebu City Sports Commission prioritized hosting the Palaro again. It started when Cebu City hosted the Palaro bubble events in Boxing and Football in 2022," he said.

"It continued when DepEd Region VII and DepEd Cebu City organized the Palaro Qualifying games last June,” he further said.

Pages said the mayor's personal involvement in the plan was a key factor.

“He spearheaded our numerous meetings. When the team made the presentation bid last July 14 before the Palaro Board, Mayor Mike was our team captain,” he said.

Pages said DepEd-7 officials, led by Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez and Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Nimfa Bongo and Assistant SDS Adolf Aguilar, were also very instrumental in the successful bid.

He said Hontiveros, one of the CCSC commissioners and the City Council committee on education chairman, was also involved in all aspects of the Palaro hosting bid.

What follows now are planning sessions with key stakeholders, particularly the city government, DepEd, CCSC, the private sector, and the sports community.

“Set our goals and objectives to make Palaro 2024 an unforgettable and successful event, form the Palaro 2024 Organizing Committee, and start our preparations,” Pages said when asked what is next to be done.

Ongoing renovations of the Cebu City Sports Center, the main venue of the event, are also targeted to be done by the end of 2023.

Aside from the CCSC, Hontiveros said the city is also improving the facilities of 22 schools identified as billeting quarters, including 56 of 80 new school buildings being added this year.

The schools are the elementary schools of Banilad, Guadalupe, and Lahug; elementary schools and night high schools of City Central, Tejero, Don Regino Mercado and Mambaling; elementary schools and national high schools of Mabolo, Tisa II, Zapatera, Talamban, and Punta Princesa; Abellana National School, Cebu City Don Carlos Gothong Memorial Elementary School and its national high school; Don Sergio Osmena Sr. Memorial National High School (MNHS) and Don Vicente Rama MNHS.

Prior to the Palaro in July 2024, Cebu City will also organize the Cebu City Olympics in February 2024 and host the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Regional Meet in May 2024.

Rama said Cebu City intends to provide playing venues that comply with national or international standards, comfortable billeting quarters for the athletes and officials, ample accommodations for the visitors, and a good transportation system for all.

"We have positioned Cebu City as a destination for sports tourism, not just nationally but internationally. We have already begun preparations to make sure our sporting venues will be top-caliber; and our billeting quarters will become home away from home," he said.

"We will also collaborate with the private sector, which is investing in the construction of new and modern facilities here, (in the city)," he also said.

Spectacular opening and closing ceremonies are also being planned while entertainment and Sinulog-like festivities will be available to the delegates.

Hontiveros also said that aside from what he called "Matatag care package" for the athletes, coaches and officials, the City Government will give athletes complimentary tickets to access local museums.

“This is in-line with Dep-Ed's vision of 'Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa'--promoting cultural awareness and national pride. Balanced experience gyud ato gi-aim for our athletes,” he said.

Aside from sports, Cebu City is also set to offer tourism activities for the athletes within the city and in other areas of Cebu.

Hontiveros anticipated the Palaro to boost the city's tourism industry and economy, considering that families of the athletes, coaches, and officials are also expected to come to show their support.

He said the event is "an opportune time to experience what Cebu has to offer”, particularly the Cebuano's warmth and hospitality.

"The Palarong Pambansa 2024 will be a celebration of unity, sportsmanship, and the indomitable spirit of our youth.... Cebu City will showcase the best of its culture, food, hospitality, and people," Rama said.

He likewise hoped that the event would inspire non-athletes to get into sports. /RHM