Vice President Sara Duterte lauded host Marikina City for stepping up to the plate in accepting the hosting duties for the 63rd edition of the Palarong Pambansa.
“A lot of LGUs would usually back off in hosting the Palaro and we’re truly relieved that Marikina City accepted it right away,” Duterte said during a press conference Friday at the Marikina Sports Complex.
“The Palarong Pambansa serves as a strong reminder to our government officials that we need to strengthen our youth programs,” Duterte said, who was the mayor of Davao City during the 2019 edition of the Palaro.
The 2023 Palaro takes the spotlight from 29 July to 5 August after a four-year hiatus.
Duterte, also the Education department secretary, was joined in the affair by Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann in attendance as well.
“The Palarong Pambansa is a springboard for young Filipinos to become strong leaders and better communicators. They learn to make decisions, inspire their teammates and communicate with teammates, coaches and referees as they participate in team activities,” she added.
Marikina was supposed to host the event back in 2020 but was scrapped due to Covid-19.
National Capital Region will enter this year’s competition as the defending champion after collecting 86 gold, 71 silver and 56 bronze medals in the 2019 edition in Davao City.
