30 years since last hosting: President Marcos Jr., VP Sara to open Palaro

CEBU, Philippines —  The moment that the Cebuanos have been waiting for has finally come.

All roads lead to the newly-refurbished Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) today, July 9, as the highly anticipated 64th Palarong Pambansa, which returns to the Queen City of the South for the first time in 30 years, comes off the wraps with an elaborate and festive opening ceremony starting off with the traditional parade of athletes at 3 p.m.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, who is also the outgoing Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary, will lead the kick-off salvo of the biggest multi-event gathering involving elementary and high school student-athletes from 17 regions across the archipelago that was last staged in Cebu way back in 1994.

The country's top executives will be joined by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia, acting vice mayor Dondon Hontiveros, and Cebu City Sports Commission chairman John Pages among other dignitaries in the opening bash that serves as an aperitif for the tough and grueling competition ahead for the future stars of Philippine sports.

Drawing participation from close to 12,000 athletes, coaches, and officials nationwide, action in the week-long athletic meet will go full blast on Thursday yet, July 11, featuring 28 disciplines spread in 30 playing venues.

To be contested are athletics, archery, arnis, badminton, chess, boxing, baseball, billiards, basketball, chess, dancesport, football, futsal, pencak silat, taekwondo, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, volleyball, wrestling, table tennis, tennis, and para games.

This year's edition of the annual sports conclave is a historic one with many firsts. First and foremost, the Palaro 2024 will see contingents from the National Academy of Sports and the Philippine Schools from Overseas. Dancesport is now a regular sport, hence, it will be counted in the medal standings.

Also, there's a smartphone app that provides real-time updates and relevant information about the prestigious event.

The app's other features includes the overall medal tally per region as well as all the medalists and their sports categories, schedule and live streaming of games, news articles published, and emergency contacts.

Furthermore, there will be an overall champion in every sport and a separate medal count for local government units (LGUs) in recognition of their contribution and support for the athletes that are taking part in the Palaro set to wind up on July 16.

History

This is the third time that Cebu City will be hosting the event, the first one way back in 1954 for the seventh edition of the Palaro.

The second one came 40 years later in what is now the CCSC. It was the first time that the oval had been rubberized and the grandstand built with concrete.

City Councilor Joy Augustus Young, who was the overseer of the said Palaro in 1994, said the city pulled it off with careful planning and cooperation, and Sto.Nino’s intervention, especially that they were building the CCSC for the first time.

They also had their share of challenges including the completion of the oval that pushed back the staging of the Palaro to summer.

Sports veterans also recalled that a typhoon also tried to threaten the staging of the event, just some days before the kick-off, yet it did not stop the holding of the event.

The memorable experience out of the 1994 staging had made other regions long to return to Cebu City again for another Palaro experience.

However, bidding to host the Palaro had become even more competitive with other local government units also wanting to host as this is also an opportunity to improve their sports facilities.

With this, it took 30 years before the multi-event returned to Cebu City.

Traffic advisory

To ensure moving traffic leading to the playing venues of the Palarong Pambansa, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) said they have personnel assigned in all areas, but also advised delegations to go to the venues ahead of time to avoid any delays.

 “Should there be games happening on different venues at the same time, we are highly advising our delegates to proceed to the venues at least one hour before the start of the games during off-peak hours and at least two hours before the start of the games during peak hours (6-8 am) and (4-7pm),” said CCTO Asst. Head Kent Jongoy.

For the opening ceremonies today, CCTO has urged motorists and commuters to plan their travels ahead as some roads will be closed to traffic for the opening parade.

Road closures along the opening parade’s main routes will start 12 noon, as reported by the City’s News and Information team.

Along with this, a rerouting scheme will be implemented to ensure that motorists can still get to their destinations, said Jounald Bautista, CCTO assistant operation head.

Road closures are expected at Osmeña Boulevard from corner J. Llorente Street up to P. Del Rosario St., B. Rodriguez St. from corner V. Rama Ave. up to Fuente Osmeña; and Fuente Osmeña Rotunda to give way to the parade route.

Operators of traditional and modern public utility jeepneys plying along the said routes are advised to divert to other streets to avoid getting caught in the gridlock.

Jeepney operators coming from Gorordo and Guadalupe traversing Osmeña Blvd going downtown are urged to make a left turn to Ma. Christina St., right turn to J. Osmeña St., then right turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave. then left turn to F. Ramos St.while jeepneys coming from the south passing through B. Rodriguez St. and going to IT Park and SM City Cebu must follow V. Rama Ave., right turn to M. Velez St., right turn to G. Garcia, then left to turn to Escario St.

Jeepneys plying the 06C route from Banawa to V. Rama, on the other hand, must make a right turn to N. Bacalso Ave., make a left turn to Leon Kilat St., left turn to Magallanes St., left turn to D. Jakosalem St., left turn to P. Del Rosario St., straight to N. Bacalso Ave. and vice versa.

Jeepneys from the north traversing Gen. Maxilom Ave. and going south must make a left turn to J. Osmeña St., left turn to Ma. Christina St., right turn to Osmeña Blvd., left turn to Escario St., right turn to G. Garcia St., left turn to M. Velez St. and vice versa while jeepneys from the north going to downtown must make a left turn to F. Ramos St., straight to Colon St. and vice versa.

Jeepneys from the downtown area traversing Osmeña Blvd., Gorordo and towards the northern Cebu City area must make a right turn to P. Del Rosario St., left turn to D. Jakosalem St., left turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave., right turn to J. Osmeña St., left turn to Ma. Christina St., right turn to Osmeña Blvd. and vice versa and jeepneys from the downtown area going to Osmeña Blvd to Guadalupe and the southern area of the city must take a left turn to P. Del Rosario St., straight to N. Bacalso Ave, right turn to V. Rama Ave. and vice versa.

Security

More than 2,000 security forces have been deployed in the various game venues, as well as billeting areas of the Palaro delegations to ensure that the activities are conducted smoothly and peacefully.

Yesterday, the CCPO held a pre-deployment briefing for personnel who will oversee the security of the facilities.

Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, Cebu City Police Office director stressed on the role of the security forces in the event that has over 12,000 athletes, coaches, and families of players, not including yet the crowd that is expected to watch the games.

As such, Dalogdog reminded the police to observe good manners in dealing with the public and be easily approachable to people who need assistance.

The police were also reminded not to accept gifts or money in exchange for their services.

Dalogdog further warned PNP Personnel to always remain at their designated posts and not to use cellphones while on duty, unless there is an emergency. (CEBU NEWS)