President Marcos, VP Sara to open Palarong Pambansa 2024

CEBU, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte will lead the opening ceremonies of Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu City next month.

The presence of the two highest ranking officials during the opening of the biggest sporting event for in-school athletes in the country has been a tradition that the present administration wants to continue.

The Cebu City Public Information Office disclosed that Duterte is expected to arrive ahead of Marcos to check on the different venues before the competition begins. Their attendance was confirmed by DepEd-Cebu City Schools Division Assistant Superintendent Adolf Aguilar during the latest coordination meeting with Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia.

“The president and the vice president will be coming over,” Aguilar said.

Aside from Marcos and Duterte, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez are also expected to grace the opening ceremony.

The Cebu City government is also anticipating the attendance of other Senators and elected officials from Congress to support their respective regions. With this development, Aguilar hopes there will be a smooth traffic flow and obstructions on Osmen?a Boulevard down to Cebu City Sports Center will be cleared for the athletes and coaches’ security and safety during the parade.

In a related development, Aguilar also disclosed that hotels are becoming fully-booked due to the Palaro next month.

Meanwhile, Garcia has expressed his gratitude to hospitals here for assuring support for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa.

At least five government and private hospitals have committed support to the athletes aside from the Cebu City Health Department (CHD). They are Chong Hua Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, Perpetual Succour Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, and the Cebu City Medical Center. —/FPL (FREEMAN)