Puerto Princesa will host a major sporting event for the first time in 11 years with the holding of the Batang Pinoy National Finals.
The city is ready with the local government unit of Puerto Princesa taking the time to improve on the facilities that were built when the 2008 Palarong Pambansa was held there.
“Since I took over in 2013, what I envisioned was to improve on the playing venues, and not necessarily for hosting, but for the use of the people of Puerto Princesa,” said Mayor Lucio Bayron after he and Philippine Sports Commission Officer-in-Charge and Commissioner Celia Kiram formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the hosting of the Batang Pinoy National Finals yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The residents have been able to use the basketball and volleyball courts, and use the track oval for walking, jogging and zumba routines.
“Dumami na po ang gumamit ng mga playing venues nang na-improve namin ang quality,” added Bayron, who felt that with Puerto Princesa as tourist destination, people will come after they made an effort to make renovations on existing facilities.
More than 6,000 athletes and around 4,000 officials are expected to arrive when the national finals are held from August 25 to 31. Working staff and spectators are expected to witness competitions in the 31 sports.
Among the sports are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, dancesport, futsal, karatedo, lawn tennis, pencak silat, sepak takraw and softball.
Events in swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, indoor and beach volleyball, are all included in the calendar.
On the other hand, qualifying rounds for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are also scheduled.
The event will also strictly implement a “zero plastic policy” during the games as mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 760 of 2014 and Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”