PASIG CITY – Ahead of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa, the Department of Education (DepEd) conveyed heartfelt appreciation to its partners for their unwavering support. The Turnover Ceremony of Sponsorships and Donations took place at the Bulwagan ng Karunugan, DepEd Central Office on July 19, where 19 DepEd-Central Office partners were honored and presented with plaques of appreciation for their invaluable contributions to the success of the prestigious event.
During the ceremony, Undersecretary for Operations Revsee A. Escobedo expressed the agency’s deep gratitude, recognizing the crucial role played by the partners in ensuring the success of the student-athletes, technical officials, and all those involved in the Palarong Pambansa.
The esteemed partners recognized at the ceremony include AQA Advertising; BDO Network Bank; Citystate Savings Bank; Enchanted Kingdom; Fortune Life Insurance Incorporated; Geneva Office of Human Rights Education (GO HRE); Golden Global Commercial and Trading Services; and House of Branded Lifestyle Inc.
Additionally, the event commended International Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Latter-Day Saints Charities; Marylindbert International, Inc.; MSP Golden Dragon Manufacturing Corporation; NAPSSPHIL; National University Manila; Otsuka-Solar Philippines Inc.; PHILUSA; REX Education; Rise and Build International Foundation; SMS Philippines, and Unilever.
Assistant Secretary for Operations and Palaro 2023 Secretary General Francis Cesar B. Bringas expressed hope that the partners would continue supporting the annual scholastic sports meet and other DepEd programs in the years ahead.
In other news, the Palarong Pambansa Board recently held a special meeting to review the bids of three Visayas local government units (LGUs) competing for the hosting rights of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa.
Cebu City, the Province of Antique, and the Province of Negros Occidental presented their respective bids during the meeting, all vying to be the host of the next Palaro as part of the Luzon-Visayas-Luzon-Mindanao rotation principle.
Governor Rhodora Cadiao of Antique, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson of Negros Occidental, and Mayor Mike Rama of Cebu City showcased their commitments and offerings to accommodate the delegation of the Palarong Pambansa in 2024.
DepEd, together with the Palarong Pambansa Board, is currently deliberating on the bids to determine the host for the 2024 edition. The announcement of the winning bidder is scheduled to take place during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City.
Notably, Cebu City previously hosted the event twice, in 1954 and 1994, while the Province of Antique hosted the 2017 edition. The Province of Negros Occidental, on the other hand, had the honor of hosting in 1971, 1974, 1979, 1998, and 2000. (Department of Education)