Marikina to hold night games if it gets Palarong Pambansa hosting

Night games at the Palarong Pambansa. This is what Marikina City will be offering as it bids for the 2012 Palarong Pambansa hoping to host the annual event in the National Capital Region (NCR) for the first time in 22 years. Sta. Cruz, Laguna and Pangasinan are also bidding for the games where elementary and high school athletes converge in the sporting event organized by the Department of Education. Marikina City mayor Del De Guzman said that the Marikina Sports Center is capable of hosting the Palaro day and night. "Night games will be possible because we have installed night lamps in the event if necessary." NCR last hosted the event in 1980 also in Marikina City where it held the Palarong Bagong Lipunan following the Palaro's suspension that year due to economic reasons. "It's about time to hold the Palaro in NCR after two decades. It's an opportunity for the athletes to reach NCR and enjoy what NCR can offer to them," said De Guzman. De Guzman said that the Marikina Sports Center was recently renovated including the Olympic standard swimming pool and the basketball court. Marikina is also capable of housing thousands of athletes and school officials with their existing hotels and schools around the city. De Guzman said that all events will be held within the city although games can also be held at nearby Ateneo and University of the Philippines in Quezon City, and PhilSports Complex in Pasig City are also possible if needed. Meanwhile, the provincial government of Laguna and Pangasinan are also bidding to host the Palaro. In a story by the Philippine News Agency, Pangasinan governor Amado Espino Jr. believes that the province has the edge against the other bidders because of their existing facilities. Espino said that the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, the site of the 1995 Palarong Pambansa, has been renovated in line with their Palaro bid. Laguna governor Jeorge Ejercito Estregan also expressed support for the province's bid for the Palaro which they intend to hold at the New San Luis Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz. Estregan said that the local government has also refurbished the 19-hectare sports complex that includes a basketball gym, Olympic-size swimming pool, shooting range and football fields. — Reuben Terrado/JVP, GMA News