DAVAO CITY -- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Board recently approved the P10-million cash assistance to the Province of Antique to beef up its hosting of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa slated April 23 to 29.
“The PSC Board is giving assistance to Antique province to help defray operational expenses being a first-time host of the 60th edition of the Palaro,” PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey said.
The commissioner from Davao City said Antique’s hosting is a welcome development since the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte also pushes for equal opportunities in the countryside.
He added Antique, being a Palaro host first-timer, needs all the help it can get for a successful hosting of the annual school-based sportsfest for elementary and secondary athletes.
Maxey was the keynote speaker of the Davao Region Athletic Association Meet 2017 opening ceremonies held at the Mati Centennial Sports Complex in Mati City, Davao Oriental Sunday afternoon.
Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) National Deputy Training Director Henry Daut, meanwhile, said they have yet to wait for the confirmation of Department of Education Sports Development Head Cesar Abalon on the conduct of Sports Mapping Action Research Talent Identification (Smart ID) testing among Palaro 2017 medalists.
“Dr. Abalon, during our evaluation in Antique, was also interested of holding the Smart ID testing in the Palaro. We have yet to hear from him if it pushes through. We are just preparing for if and when it continues as planned,” Daut said, adding that they might only conduct the Smart ID testing for two days after the games so as not to disrupt the focus of the athletes.
“Hindi kasi pwedeng ma-stress ang mga bata. Maganda rin kung maituloy ang plano para magkakaroon tayo ng point of comparison o barometer sa mga batang i-tetest sa mga regions (The children should be stressed out. Its better if the plan will be pushed through so we can have a point of comparison or barometer of the children tested in the regions),” Daut added.
PSI recently launched its Smart ID Train the Trainers Program in Mindanao last month in Tagum City. (PR)