Pangasinan to host Batang Pinoy northern Luzon leg

LINGAYEN -- The province of Pangasinan is hosting the Batang Pinoy Northern Luzon Leg on October 10 to 13.

The leg covers Ilocos Regions, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordilleras.

Executive Assistant III Modesto Operaña, provincial sports director, said the province is preparing to send a strong contingent.

"Governor Amado Espino Jr. has instructed the conduct of province-wide eliminations to select the best young athletes in Pangasinan who will represent the province during the Batang Pinoy Northern Luzon Leg," he said.

The local elimination will be held at the Narciso Ramos and Sports Civic Center (NRSCC) here.

The members of the Pangasinan Mayors League headed by Dasol Mayor Noel Nacar earlier committed to send athletes and selected sports events, which they think they could strongly compete.

The province has 44 towns and four cities. Around 1,000 athletes are expected to play in the elimination games.

Holding the elimination games early, he said, would give the chosen athletes ample time to train for the Northern Luzon Leg.

Meanwhile, Operaña said the province is adopting the strategy implemented when it successfully hosted the Palarong Pambansa last May.

Prior to the elimination games, he had instructed Engineer II Romulo R. Delos Santos and NRSCC In-Charge Myra Romero to check the sports facilities and playing venues.

Coordination has also been made with the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office to ensure that peace, order and security of the participants in the playing venues outside NRSCC will be secured all throughout the elimination games.

Likewise, Provincial Board Secretary Verna Nava-Perez checked on the availability and workability of the sports equipment donated to the province by the Department of Education after the Palarong Pambansa 2012.

Nava-Perez headed the Palarong Pambansa local secretarial, and is also the Batang Pinoy Northern Luzon Leg secretariat chief.

And just like in the Palarong Pambansa, the 270 technical officials will be housed at the NRSCC.

As a part of the province's preparations for the elimination games, which will be participated in by some 1,000 expected athletes (15 years and below) and sports officials, Provincial Sports Director Operania has urged the department and office heads present during the meeting to adopt the strategy done by the provincial government during the hosting of Palarong Pambansa last May.

The Batang Pinoy Program is organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) while the Palarong Pambansa is run by the DepEd.

The Batang Pinoy athletes composed of students and out-of school youths aged 15 years old and below represents the local government units (LGUs).

And the LGUs in Pangasinan, said Operaña, are expected to send the best athletes in their municipalities and cities who will later compete in the 18 sporting events. (Sunnex)