Preparations for the staging of the Palarong Pambansa 2013 in Negros Oriental on April 21 to 27 are 80 percent complete with minor ongoing touch-ups at the different billeting quarters and playing venues.
Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, Negros Oriental provincial superintendent of schools of the Department of Education, said the facilities can already be used now even with the final preparations and facelifts needed to meet international standards especially at the playing venues.
Last Friday and Saturday, the technical committee members from the different regions and the central office of DepEd met here to discuss further details for the Palaro, according to Dr. Jimenez.
The DepEd superintendent expressed optimism that with the help, support and cooperation of all Negrenses, the stakeholders and the media, the province of Negros Oriental can make a “difference” in hosting this year’s Palarong Pambansa.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jimenez declined to comment on the possibility that politicians and political candidates will take advantage of the national games to endorse their candidacies.
A statement from the DepEd central office on how to deal with this kind of situation has already been released, Dr. Jimenez said. He also disclosed the possibility of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III gracing the opening of the Palarong Pambansa 2013 in Dumaguete.
Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and DepEd Sec. Armin Luistro have both written to the President inviting him over, Dr. Jimenez added.
So far, there has been no response yet from the Office of the President. (PNA)
