Top
world-class athletes, officials push intent
By
Liza T. Agoot
BAGUIO CITY – Top
athletes of this city who won in international competitions and officials
pushed their intent to hold the “coolest Palarong Pambansa” here and other
areas of Benguet province in 2018.
They urged
the Philippine Sports Commission to accept “10 hottest reasons” that this city
and the province of Benguet are selling in their bid to co-host the 2018
Palarong Pambansa.
In
Thursday’s press conference, part of the unity, convergence and signing of the
pledge of commitment of support of stakeholders in Baguio and Benguet, Baguio
Mayor Mauricio Domogan said “We have ready event venues and billeting. Crime
rate is low coupled with all the amenities which the athletes can avail
of". He also spoke well of the hospitality of the people in the city
and province.
Baguio and
Benguet also have good climate, having the lowest temperature in the country,
even during summer season.
The
“Coolest Palarong Pambansa” tag is what the two local governments will
capitalize on, when they meet with the committee composed of the panel of
evaluators on the last week of August for the presentation of their offer to
host the event.
Domogan said
good climate and elevation were among reasons “Pambansang Kamao” Senator Manny
Pacquiao trains in Baguio before a mayor boxing match. “Pacquiao won the
matches where he trained here and lost when he did not come,” the major said in
jest.
Benguet
Provincial Administrator Noel Ngolob said they were one with Baguio in the
quest to bring the 2018 Palarong Pambansa here as he assured that the
province will be ready for the events and will take care and extend utmost
hospitality to all the guests.
Mayor
Romeo Salda of La Trinidad said they will invest on the venues and billeting,
adding that they are also fixing restrooms of the schools to give the
delegations comfort and convenience.
World
mixed martial arts 1FC champion Edward Folayang, who is also from this
city said, “We are here to help and
support Baguio and Benguet’s bid to host the event. This place is a very good
training venue. He added, “lahat naman ng taga baba gustong matikman ang langit
(all those in the low lands want to taste heaven),” referring to the elevation
of both Baguio and Benguet which have been tagged to be “close to heaven”.
World
Pomsei champion Jordan Dominguez who joined the event said “maraming mai-ooffer
dito na di mao-offer ng iba (there are many things that these places can offer
which others cannot),” as he talked about his years as a young athlete who
started training and competing locally.
Department
of Education-Cordillera regional director May Eclar explained that the bid will
be heard and evaluated by a panel of evaluators composed of the DepEd
secretary, undersecretaries and assistant secretaries, regional directors of the department and PSC chairman.
Eclar
said here main function will be recommendatory based on the offer of the local
government units.
She said
the big come-on here is the climate, which reduces stress for an athlete,
aside from the reality that all resources are already in place.
Representatives
from the accommodation industry, business sector, Baguio Water District,
Beneco, police from Baguio, Benguet and the regional office as well as the
tri-media were present during the occasion to give support to the 2018
Palarong Pambansa bid of the city and province. -- PNA
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