Photo screen grab from Palarong Pambansa 2024 Facebook Page.
Cebu City is gearing up to host the Palarong Pambansa 2024, the country’s biggest national youth sporting event, with preparations nearly complete. Organizers reported they are 95% ready for the games kicking off on July 6.
According to Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, despite her recent resignation from the Department of Education (DepEd), Vice President Sara Duterte is still expected to attend the opening ceremony on July 9.
“So [sic] far as the preparations for the Palaro is concerned, with Cebu City and DepEd also, everything is already in place,” Garcia said in a press conference, downplaying concerns about the impact of Duterte’s resignation.
Adolf Aguilar of DepEd Cebu City confirmed the event is organized by the Palarong Pambansa Planning Board and that there are no changes due to Duterte’s departure from DepEd.
Security is a top priority for the event. Over 2,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure a safe environment for athletes, families, and tourists.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Visayas will be the primary force behind the security plan, with a potential increase in personnel depending on the final number of venues and accommodation areas.
Security measures will focus on the sports venues themselves, as well as popular tourist destinations in Cebu.
“We expect that beaches, other areas of convergence, [and] tourism sites, will also be flooded with mga bisita nato. So usa sad ni sa atong gibantayan [our visitors. So that is one of the things that we will be monitoring],” Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson for PRO-7, said in a report by Cebu Daily News.
Cebu City is almost ready, with the contractor having completed the rubber surface for the oval track, said John Pages of the Cebu City Sports Commission.
A ceremonial pre-opening is set for June 27, after which the track will be available for practice.
Pages also acknowledged the remaining 5% of preparations hinge on unpredictable factors like weather, but organizers are confident all details will be addressed.
The influx of visitors for Palarong Pambansa coincides with other major events in Cebu. Carcar City will host the National Schools Press Conference and Naga City will hold the National Festival of Talents.
Authorities are coordinating to ensure security for all these events.
