By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Batang Pinoy, one of Philippine Sports Commission’s grassroots programs, returns to action in December this year following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the government sports agency and the province of Ilocos Sur.
PSC Commissioner Noli Eala and Ilocos Sur Gov. Jerry Singson inked the partnership at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for the staging of this year’s edition slated Dec. 17 to 22 in Ilocos Sur.
“The 2022 Batang Pinoy National Championship is actually going to be the first major PSC-organized competition under my watch and that is why I am very honored to do it in the Province of Ilocos Sur from where the Ealas come from,” said Eala.
Eala added the resumption of the said event serves as a big step towards pushing the agency’s grassroots program.
Batang Pinoy was last held in 2019 before it was shelved due to the pandemic.
Gov. Singson, meanwhile, thanked the PSC for choosing the province to host the said edition.
“Malaking bagay po ito sa amin because through sports, makikilala na naman po ang Ilocos Sur and hopefully mabubuhay ulit ang aming economy through sports” Gov. Singson said.
Also present during the ceremonial signing were PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr., Province of Ilocos Sur Executive Assistant Atty. Jannah Singson, Provincial Administrator Marlon Tagorda, Special Assistant to the Governor in Sports Jester Singson and PSC Regional Coordinator Edwin Llanes.
A total of 17 sports will be played this year, with nine slated to be held face-to-face and the rest through virtual contests.
The event caters to student-athletes and out-of-school youth age 10 to 15 years old across the country.
