TO PREVENT any untoward incidents from happening during the Palarong Pambansa 2019, officials and organizers assured they have put in place some precautionary measures.
Mikey Aportadera, chief of the City Sports Development Office, appealed to the various delegations and coaches to do their share in ensuring their safety.
"Each delegation should make sure that prior in coming to Davao, coaches themselves should see to it that the welfare of the athletes should come first," Aportadera said.
On January 31, Hadia Eronico, 12, passed away due to dengue fever while the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) was being held here.
Aportadera said Eronico, a volleyball athlete from Davao Oriental, had already manifested symptoms prior to her arrival for the Davraa meet.
He said as part of their preparations for Davraa, held last January 27 to February 2, the city made sure that all billeting headquarters are clean and fumigated to avoid dengue cases.
Aportadera said that the same measure will be applied for the Palaro, the biggest annual multi-sport for student-athletes from 17 regions of the country.
"With that incident, we made sure that it will not happen again. That is why we are thoroughly inspecting the venue," he said.
However, Aportadera also reminded coaches to keep their athletes hydrated and stay under the shade to avoid heatstroke.
"Atong kalaban 'sab karon kay ang heat index sa Pilipinas, taas kaayo. To our coaches, di unta nila pasagdan na mainitan ato mga atleta (The Philippines' heat index will be a challenge to the athletes. The coaches have to make sure the athletes are hydrated)," he said.
Meanwhile, Department of Education Davao (DepEd 11) spokesperson Jenielito Atillo called on all physicians, both from local and outside delegates, to properly screen their athletes.
Atillo also said organizers had been strict in requiring athletes to present a medical certificate, confirming that they are fit to play in the event.
The DepEd officials said that he agrees with Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) official Ricardo Audan's suggestion of requiring athletes to undergo stringent laboratory tests before being cleared to compete.
"We need to have a 100-percent assurance that everyone who comes and participate should be really physically fit to play," Atillo said.