Baguio, Benguet bid to hold 'coolest' Palarong Pambansa

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