2010 Palarong Pambansa to be hosted by Luzon

MANILA, Philippines – The Palarong Pambansa is going back to Luzon and four Local Government Units have already sent feelers of their desire to play host to the 2010 student games. Tarlac City is said to be foremost candidate with Baguio City, Ilocos Norte and Puerto Princesa, Palawan challenging it for the hosting rights. “Luzon will be the host in the 2010 Palarong Pambansa but there are no official bidders yet. But Tarlac, Baguio City, Ilocos Norte and Puerto Princesa have aired verbally their willingness to host the Games," said Department of Education undersecretary Ramon Bacani during the closing ceremony of the 2009 edition in Tacloban City. With the exception of Puerto Princesa, the interested LGUs have no experience in hosting the Palaro. Interested parties will have to submit their bids for the Games the DepEd officials to assess the offer and make their final decision later this year. Foremost requirement is the ability of the host to house close to 10,000 guest and participants from 17 regions, aside from standard facilities especially in athletics and swimming competition. This year’s staging cost the Province of Leyte close to P100 million, with P70 million going to infrastructures like the rehabilitation of the existing facilities such as the Leyte Sports Center, which was also the site of the 1983 Palaro. –GMANews.TV