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By Frank C. Calapre,
Correspondent
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY: Mayor
Edward Hagedorn assured on Saturday that there will be enough rice
to feed the more than 17,000 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 21 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 Secretary Jesli Lapus 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-A in the national Palaro.
Also competing are Palawan,
Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and
Calapan City.
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