DepEd prepares for Palarong Bicol 2024

By Kim Villafuerte

During the 1st Quarter Regional Press Conference on March 27, 2024, DepEd V Director Gilbert T. Sadsad revealed 90% preparedness for the upcoming Palarong Bicol 2024, with remaining minor adjustments on facilities that will be utilized during the games.

An estimated 6,000 participants, including coaches, assistant coaches and chaperones are expected to attend the Palarong Bicol 2024 that is set to kick off on April 24 and conclude on May 4. The event will take place across four divisions: SDO Albay, Ligao, and Tabaco City, with SDO Legazpi serving as the main host.

According to Director Sadsad, the security of the athletes and other officials is their foremost concern.

Francisco Dexter O. Sison, Division Sports Officer of Legazpi City said that they have already conducted an inspection on all the schools in Legazpi that will be used as headquarters by the participants. The Division Sports Office of Legazpi has coordinated with other government agencies and offices like BFP, PNP and selected hospitals in Albay to ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees.

Meanwhile, due to Legazpi’s rising heat index, DepEd will be making an adjustment on the game schedules; instead of the games starting in the afternoon, they will be held early in the morning to prevent athletes from too much heat exposure. Athletes will also be provided with a sufficient drinking water supply. Medics will be on standby in case of emergencies.

In terms of the playing venues, Bicol University will be the main sports venue. Sports like baseball and taekwondo will be held at other sports venues such as Travesia, Guinobatan, Albay and SM. Sison also thanked the City Government of Legazpi for allocating 500,000 pesos and a monthly 100,000-peso allowance for the maintenance of the BU sports complex.

For the past years, there have been complaints regarding the water supply wherein teachers from the headquarters had to request water from BFP due to water scarcity. Director Sadsad addressed this by saying, “Kahit gaano ka preparared ang anumang lugar, big event, even in the national, laging meron yang kakaproblema later or during the actual event.” However, Sison on the other hand, denied this and said that Legazpi has never received any complaints on water supply during its years of hosting the Palarong Bicol.

Moreover, DepEd has allocated a total of 3 million pesos for this year’s Palarong Bicol.

Sison revealed the list of the schools where each provinces and cities are designated to stay:

• Albay Central School will be occupied by the Legazpi City Delegation and DepEd Regional Office.

• Bitano Elementary School and Legazpi City Science High School by Camarines Norte.

• Legazpi Port Elementary School by Sorsogon Province.

• Ibalon Central School by Iriga City,

• Oro Site High School by Naga City.

• Em’s Barrio Elementary School by Masbate.

• Legazpi National High School by Albay.

Lastly, Arimbay High School will be used as a backup headquarter in case there’s a room shortage.