Hagedorn assures enough rice supply during Palaro

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY: Mayor Edward Hagedorn assured on Saturday that there will be enough rice to feed the more than 10,000 delegates attending the Palarong Pambansa late this month.

Hagedorn said at least two sacks of rice will be given to each of the 17 regional delegations taking part in the tournament slated April 20 to 26 at the newly-refurbished Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex here.

“This is to prove our support to the 2008 Palarong Pambansa, which we hope will be the most successful and the most memorable ever,” declared Hagedorn to allay fears that the rice crisis which hit the country for the second time since 1995 may affect the staging of the multi-event tournament which Puerto Princesa City will be hosting for the first time.

In addition to the city’s free rice provision, the Department of Education (Dep-Ed) will give P2 million each to the regional delegations to cover food, competition uniforms and transportation expenses.

Former Councilor and City Information Officer Alroben Goh announced that members of the Puerto Princesa Hotel and Restaurant Association are giving at least 10-percent discounts to all officials and athletes in the competition for high school and elementary students.

Meanwhile, the MIMAROPA regional meet, a qualifying tournament for Palarong Pambansa hopefuls, unfolds Sunday with Education Undersecretary Franklin Sunga as guest of honor.

Some 5,000 officials and athletes from seven DepEd district units led by host Puerto Princesa City are vying for the right to represent Region IV-B in the national Palaro.

Also competing are Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Calapan City.

Source: Frank C. Calapre, Correspondent | Manila Times