For the second time around, organizers have backed down on their plans to have the 2020 Palarong Pambansa be held on May 1 to 9 in Marikina.
The second postponement was due to new threats posed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Marikina Public Information Office made the announcement on Monday morning.
“Putting the safety of the athletes and their families first, Mayor (Marcelino) Teodoro suspends the Palarong Pambansa 2020 in May because of the threat posed by COVID-19,” said the Marikina PIO in its statement.
Officials of the Department of Education were earlier reluctant to cancel the staging of the 2020 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina.
Last month, the DepEd backed down on its decision to postpone it, including it in its list of events that it will put on hold.
Back then DepEd officials clarified that national and regional competitions for students in February are the only ones that they will cancel amidst the risk posed by the novel coronavirus.
The last time the Palaro was called off was in 2001.
It was slated in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, but was scrapped due to lack of funds and the peace and order situation in the area.