Lingayen, Pangasinan
7 May 2012

Joining thousands of national athletes from different regions of the country, President Benigno S. Aquino III formally opened the Palarong Pambansa 2012 held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

“Nagagalak po akong maparito sa Lingayen, Pangasinan, upang pasimulan ang pinakamalaking sports event sa Pilipinas ngayong taon: ang Palarong Pambansa 2012,” the President said.

He said that his administration fully supports the strengthening and promotion of sports in the country. He announced that the government shed out more than P200 million for Palarong Pambansa 2012 to ensure a smooth-sailing event.

The President also discussed the P200 million budget for the “focus sports policy” under the 2011-2016 Philippine Sports Roadmap of the Philippine Sports Commission. Focus Sports Policy is a program where athletes will be developed in the sports of their expertise.

Furthermore, he mentioned the provision of P5 million allotted for persons with disabilities to guarantee that they will be able to join sporting activities and events. He also cited the revitalization of Batang Pinoy Program and Philippine National Games that aims to reinforce sports among Filipino youth.

The President was joined by Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Former President Fidel Ramos, Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr., and Dapitan City Mayor Dominador Jalosjos Jr.

Palarong Pambansa is an annual sporting event organized by the Department of Education since 1948. Elementary and high school student athletes from various schools and universities in the Philippines compete in sports like archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis and volleyball among others.

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