Legazpi City is now ready to accommodate the delegates consisting of coaches and athletes across the Bicol region for the opening ceremonies of Palarong Bicol on April 23.
The kick-off ceremony will be held at Ibalong Centrum of Recreation (ICR), Department of Education (DepEd) Bicol Regional Sports Coordinator and Education Support Services Division (ESSD) Chief Engr. Ronald Asis announced.
Asis also said that a motorcade will happen prior to the opening program that will start from Legazpi City Sports Center at Albay Central School and will end at the ICR.
However, Asis declared that there will be no “saludo” or parade of athletes and coaches that will transpire on the opening ceremonies of Palaro 2023.
“We will only make the opening program short and simple. After the short opening ceremonies, the regional technical officials and sports managers will immediately convene to discuss matters relative to the schedule of the actual games,” Asis said.
A solidarity meeting that will be attended by technical officials will happen after the opening ceremonies to discuss the schedule of games and other related activities.
Actual games will proceed from April 24 to April 27.
𝗢𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆
With regard to security, DepEd Bicol Assistant Sports Coordinator, Dexter Sison, said that the safety measures for the opening day, including the safety in schools identified as playing venues and billeting quarters, are all set.
“We have already visited all the billeting schools as well as playing venues to check if there are needed improvements. So far, we did not encounter any problem since all the proposals related to the Palarong Bicol were approved, and we have established a good partnership with LGU Legazpi, “ said Sison.
Being the host of the opening program, the Schools Division Office (SDO) Legazpi, has been coordinating with other government agencies to ensure that no untoward incident will happen during the entire duration of the event.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗼 𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗮𝗵𝗶
Aside from the opening ceremonies, the comeback of the Palaro 2023 this year will also zero in on “Laro ng Lahi ” that will be participated by executive officials from the regional office to strengthen and revive the traditional Filipino games.
“Traditional games like kadang-kadang, patintero, and karera ng sako will be part this year’s palarong Bicol as (a) unique way of fostering camaraderie and friendship among DepEd Regional Executive Committee Officials and Sports Officials,” Asis said.
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
The Palarong Bicol 2023 will be held via cluster-based per geographical proximity of the participants.
Pursuant to DepEd Order. No 005 series of 2023 or the Conduct of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa, DepEd Order No. 34, s. 2022 or the School Calendar of Activities for SY 2022-2023, and the Comprehensive Regional Sports Development Program (CRSDP), the regional sports meet will proceed in a new format which is aimed at avoiding huge gathering, costly events and designed to ensure that no disruption of classes will happen during the actual conduct of this sporting event.
In so, four (4) has been made: Cluster A is composed of SDO Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Naga City; Cluster B with SDO Iriga City, Albay and Ligao; Cluster C with Legazpi City, Tabaco and Catanduanes; while Cluster D with Sorsogon Province, Sorsogon City, Masbate Province and Masbate City.
Further, the awarding ceremonies and the closing program for Palaro will be hosted by the Schools Division Office of Naga City. I Arvie Bediones