A DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) Davao Region official lauded the City Government of Marikina as the new 2020 Palarong Pambansa host after Occidental Mindoro begged off having been severely hit by Typhoon “Tisoy” in December 2019.

Deped Davao spokesperson Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo, in a phone interview with SunStar Davao Wednesday, said: “Kining pagdawat signifies the intent to hold the Palarong Pambansa in accordance with everything, respect to demands and needs of delegations. This somehow shows their readiness. We salute them in a very short notice they accepted the hosting.”

Marikina will host the Palaro for the first time.

Davao City last hosted the Palarong Pambansa on April 27 to May 4, 2019 wherein Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet slumped to 11th place with 13 gold medals, 22 silvers and 37 bronzes.

Atillo said wherever the Palaro is going to be, the region has no problem.

“Mag-participate man jud ta. Okay ra sa amoa ang pag-transfer sa Palaro venue. Ready man ta. Naa pa man gani mga lugar nga mas layo pa sa Marikina nga naadtuan sa Davao Region (We participate anywhere. We’re okay with the new Palaro host. We have even been to farther places than Marikina before),” he said.

On the heavy traffic situation in Metro Manila where delegations, including Davraa, will probably be billeted, he is confident that the host region, National Capital Region, already has a contingency plan.

He added, “I don’t think traffic will be a problem. Maningkamot ang host to (The host will do its best to) to do something about it.”

Meanwhile, preparations shift to high gear for the holding of the Davraa Meet 2020 in Davao de Oro on February 24 to 29.

Atillo said a meeting was held yesterday, January 8, for the staging of the regional meet that serves as qualifying for the Palarong Pambansa 2020.