RDC-12 endorses Koronadal’s bid to host 2015 Palaro

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/25 April) — The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 12 has endorsed the bid of Koronadal City to host the 2015 edition of the Palarong Pambansa.

In a resolution, the council declared its all-out support and officially endorsed to the Department of Education (DepEd) Koronadal City’s efforts to host anew the annual national games, which is returning to Mindanao after two years.

“Koronadal City is very much capable of hosting the event given its experience as co-host of South Cotabato province in the 1996 Palaro and as lead host of the 2007 games,” the RDC resolution said.

The council noted that the city is well-prepared to host the said competition as it has a main sports complex and other relevant sports facilities that are highly suited for the sports event.

It said the city government has recently established two additional sports complexes in Barangays San Jose and Saravia.

The RDC said the city has adequate facilities to house the expected participants; has modern health facilities and well-equipped personnel to provide emergency medical services; and, hosts several commercial centers that could cater to the basic necessities of the participants.

“The presence and availability of these facilities and amenities would make preparations for the 2015 Palarong Pambansa less costly on the part of DepEd,” it added.

Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel said the city government earlier sought the RDC-12 support and endorsement to strengthen their bid to host the 2015 Palaro.

“This bid is not just for the city but for the entire Region 12,” the mayor said.

Miguel said they are now ready to submit their bid to DepEd that includes a comprehensive hosting plan and program.

Should the city get the nod to host the Palaro for the third time, he said the local government would make the hosting of the games as a regional showcase.

Koronadal City, which is a component city of South Cotabato, is the regional seat and center of Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region.

The region comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Miguel said the hosting of the 2015 Palaro will mainly benefit the region’s athletic delegation, which has been renamed as the Soccsksargen Regional Athletic Association (SRAA) from the previous Cotabato RAA.

Aside from the city, the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Butuan, Davao del Norte province and Tubod in Lanao del Norte have signified to vie for the hosting of the 2015 Palaro.

Source: MindaNews