Palarong Pambansa will not be postponed, DepEd clarifies

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday clarified that the Palarong Pambansa is not among the events that may be postponed to prevent the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

In a Facebook post, the DepEd said it will soon issue a memorandum regarding the events that will be postponed.

Some of the DepEd’s national events usually held in February are the National Science and Technology Fair, National Festival of Talents, and National Schools Press Conference.

“We reiterate that the Palarong Pambansa is NOT included in the list since it will officially open by May this year,” they said.

“A complete copy of the memorandum will be released and posted at www.deped.gov.ph and DepEd Philippines Facebook page as soon as possible for the guidance of the public.”

The clarification came after Education Secretary Leonor Briones said, in a Senate inquiry into the 2019-nCoV  threat in the country, that the Palarong Pambansa was among the events to be postponed.

The Philippines so far has two confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV while the total number of persons under investigation as of Tuesday noon is 105. — MDM, GMA News