Getting all set for the games
PALARONG PAMBANSA 2012
LINGAYEN—With a month to go before the games, the provincial government said it is now 75 percent done with the preparations for the Palarong Pambansa slated May 6 to 12.
Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said work at the main venue for the event, the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC), is in full swing and he expressed confidence that everything will be ready on time.
The grandstand is being expanded and renovated to accommodate more spectators while dormitory facilities at the NRSCC are undergoing construction work to host up to 800 game officials staying for the entire duration of the games.
At the same time, Espino said the Department of Education (DepEd) is also improving facilities inside schools where the athletes will be billeted.
The governor said he is keen on making this year’s Palaro the new standard for organization and coordination between the national government and the Local Government Units.
The 2012 Palaro will also be a “green” event as the provincial government will introduce measures that will require participants, guests and spectators to observe eco-friendly practices.
Espino and Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim last week showed a sample of eco-friendly bags that the province will distribute to each member of the 17 delegations.
With the bag, the provincial government seeks to discourage athletes, coaches, officials and spectators from using non-biodegradable materials such as plastics and styro foams.
“The eco-friendly bags will be distributed to all delegates in their designated billeting areas and for their shopping and other activities to help make the event truly a green Palaro,” Espino said.
The move has been supported by the DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro’s call for a pro-environment sports event during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the joint undertaking of the national games with the host Pangasinan.
“We will be plastic and Styrofoam-free in all the billeting areas. We have teams that will enforce eco-tourism practices in each billeting area,” said Espino.
Espino said non-biodegradable materials will be strictly prohibited in all Palaro venues, that includes Lingayen, Dagupan and San Carlos cities.
In addition to eco-friendly initiatives, the provincial government will employ modern technology by providing live streaming coverage of all games from the different playing venues, a first for Palaro.
This year will be second hosting of the Palarong Pambansa for the province, the only province so far to do so. The first was in 1995 under the administration of former President Fidel Ramos.
After this year’s Palaro, the governor committed to establish a Pangasinan Sports Academy that make full use of all the improved facilities for training local athletes.
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