DepEd shells out P205-M for Palaro

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — To ensure the successful staging of the biggest sporting affair in the country, the Department of Education has allotted P205.4-million for Negros Oriental’s hosting of the 2013 Palarong Pambansa.

With more than 8,000 athletes flocking to Dumaguete to compete in 17 regular sporting events, the DepEd has allocated P136.5-million for the Palaro proper, while a total of P68.8-million was shelled out for the Pre-Regional and Regional School Sports Competitions — the qualifiers to the national event.

Included in the budget for the Palarong Pambansa staging is the P85.8-million financial assistance to athletes and coaches as food allowance, uniform allowance, and miscellaneous spending such as insurance coverage at P700,000.

A P2-million support was also given to the host region, Region VII or Central Visayas while Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City were given P3.8-million as host divisions.

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Dumaguete City has refurbished most of their sports facilities that include the 5,000-seater Lamberto L. Macias Sports and Cultural Center, the Gov. Mariano Perdices Stadium, and the Lorenzo G. Tevez Aqua Center among others.

Some members from the private sector namely Nestle-Milo, Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Philippine Airlines, Aboitiz Foundation, Ang-Hortaleza Foundation, Johnson & Johnson Philippines, San Miguel Foundation and Ayala Foundation also vowed to give out cash prizes and scholarships to Palaro winners.

“This is another facet of public- private partnership wherein we don’t just build classrooms for them, we also help build their characters thru sports development,” DepEd secretary Bro. Armin Luistro said in a press con.

A financial assistance worth P250,000 was also granted to the Billeting Schools and Technical Officials while Php 686,000 was reserved for the post-Palaro meeting.

Meanwhile, P42.2-million of the budget of the Palaro proper was set aside for the Operational Expenses and Management of the Palaro, inclusive of travel costs, sports equipment and supplies, uniforms, food, insurance, and other incentives. – Rappler.com