THE die is cast!

In a historical twist of events, the City of Davao will play host to the 2019 Palarong Pambansa where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the University of the Philippines – Davao City Sports Complex in Mintal.

Just recently, The Department of Education (DepEd) and the City Government of Davao officially inked the memorandum of agreement (Moa) on the hosting of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa at the Davao City.

The Moa specifies the duties and responsibilities of the Department and the City Government and was inked by DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The theme for this year’s conduct of the 2019 games is “Shaping the Future Through Sports.” The 2019 Palarong Pambansa is set from April 27 to May 4. As provided by the said Moa, Davao City will host this year’s sporting event, in cooperation with DepEd- Davao Region and the Schools Division Office of Davao City.

In the agreement, some of the duties and responsibilities of DepEd include: coordination with Davao City for the necessary security provisions and measures, transportation and communications provisions, and other requirements for the event including the playing venues and billeting quarters for the regional delegations and national technical officials; receiving of donations from any third party that shall include, but not be limited to, services, equipment, and financial assistance that will support the operation or that will be utilized for the event, subject to the existing laws, rules and regulations, and properly communicated to Davao City prior to finalizations; and conducting technical inspection and monitoring the readiness of the sports facilities and billeting quarters in coordination with the City host.

On the other hand, The department shall likewise supply the standard technical equipment, materials, and supplies needed for the different sports events according to the specifications prescribed by the Palaro Technical Management and Games Administration Committee, subject to some exceptions; give uniforms for the technical officials and members of the technical management and administration committee who will manage the conduct of the Palarong Pambansa; and provide technical and funding assistance in the preparation, repair, and rehabilitation of billeting schools for the event.

Consequently, Davao City was tasked to create and convene the Local Palaro Executive Committee and Secretariat, as well as other working committees that may be necessary for the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa; facilitate the sourcing of funds for the necessary expenses for the event, specifically those for construction and renovation of sports facilities, billeting quarters, and other infrastructural requirements of the Palaro host; and ensure accessibility to public transportation and communication in all playing venues and billeting quarters in coordination with the proper national government agency, if necessary.

As of this writing, the sports committee of the City, DepEd- Davao Region and the Division of Davao City are holding meetings one after the other to iron out any minute details needed to be addressed in the conduct of the Palaro in Davao City.

This corner hopes that the annual sports competition will hone the abilities of the athletes for them to become worldly competent players.