By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson said the Panaad Park and Stadium is ready for this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival and the Palarong Pambansa if it is chosen to host the national sports competition next year.
The governor confirmed to reporters here that the provincial government joined the bidding to host the Palarong Pambansa 2024.
Lacson said the Panaad Park and Stadium’s rehabilitation costing P104 million was recently completed to prepare the site for this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival and the said national sports competition next year.
He added that Negros Occidental was supposed to host the Palarong Pambansa next year.
But it was opened up for bidding again by the Department of Education after Cebu expressed its intention to host the scholastic multi-sport competition.
The Antique provincial government also signified its intention to host Palarong Pambansa 2024 after a successful hosting in 2017, he further said.
Marikina City will host the Palarong Pambansa 2023 from July 29 to August 23.
The DepEd earlier issued a statement that it will introduce an additional tier called the “Pre-National Qualifying Meet,” in order to lessen the number of delegations, shorten the duration of the event, and lower the expenses to be incurred all without sacrificing the level.
The governor recently led the inauguration of the newly renovated Panaad Park and Stadium Football Field and Track Oval in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City in time for the opening of the Palarong Panlalawigan 2023 held during the last week of March this year and the upcoming Panaad sa Negros Festival on April 17-24.
Lacson said he hopes that the renovated track oval will inspire athletes in the field of athletic running events, and encourage young Negrenses to get involved in sports activities.
“We’re just providing them a place where they can really improve their skills,” he added.
Earlier, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said that the provincial government spent P48 million for the oval track, P24 million for the roofing, and P32 million for the stadium.
