DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Sports Commission Board recently approved a P10 million cash assistance to the Province of Antique to beef up its hosting of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa slated April 23 to 29.
PSC commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey bared this over the weekend after gracing the Directional Meeting with local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao held Thursday at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites here.
Maxey said, “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.”
The commissioner from Davao City also said that Antique’s hosting is a welcome development since the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte also pushes for equal opportunities in the countryside.
He added that 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 keynote speaker of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2017 opening ceremony at the Mati Centennial Sports Complex in Mati City, Davao Oriental Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) national deputy training director Henry Daut said that they have yet to get confirmation from Department of Education (DepEd) sports development head Dr. 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 in holding the Smart ID testing in the Palaro. We have yet to hear from him though if it will push 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 be disruptive.