BY: ENNIFER C. TILOS
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 3 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo will lead the provincial delegation to the opening ceremonies of the Palarong Pambansa 2014 on May 4 in San Pablo City, Laguna, this year’s host of the annual sporting event.
Degamo will play a major role during the opening ceremonies scheduled at 6:00 a.m. through a civic military parade because both the governor and DepEd Region-7 Regional Director Carmelita Dulangon will turn over the Palarong Pambansa Banner to Laguna Governor Jeorge Ejercito Estregan.
The turning-over of the banner signifies the formal relegation of the province of Negros Oriental all its hosting obligations and responsibilities to the province of Laguna.
As reported, the opening ceremonies will be graced by His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III who will be the guest of honor and speaker.
Degamo admitted that he is very much eager to join the opening ceremonies because this is another opportunity for him to extend to the other regions his appreciation of the chance afforded the province to host the Palarong Pambansa for the first time which happened during his incumbency as governor of the province.
No less than DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro described the handling of the province of the national games as “Sans Rival” or “No equal.” It was the best so far, according to the DepEd Secretary.
This is also a chance to bring the voice and the pride of the Negrenses who were deeply honored to have been given the chance to host the Palarong Pambansa which had greatly contributed to the recovery of the local economy.
It may be recalled that Negros Oriental was greatly devastated by a series of calamites that hit the province.
And finally, maybe, the governor sees this as a chance for him to meet the President of the Republic of the Philippines, if he so desires, in order to extend his thanks for all the help that the national government granted Negros Oriental.
According to Capitol information officer Adrian Sedillo last year, the province as a whole, was placed in the history map of the Palarong Pambansa for successfully hosting the coveted annual sporting event in the province from April 21-27, 2013.
It reportedly gathered more than 20,000 athletes from the elementary and the secondary levels, coaches, schools administrators, officiating officials, DepEd officials and parents.
Sedillo said the province’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa was also an opportunity for Negros Oriental to improve its local economy as business before and after the weeklong Palarong Pambansa was really vigorous. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)