STILL reeling from the effects of typhoons “Egay” and “Falcon” that dampened its preparations, Marikina City lays down what it expected to be a “wet” carpet for the 63rd Palarong Pambansa today, Monday, at the Marikina Sports Center.
President Marcos Jr. is expected to declare the games open.
As of yesterday, cleaning crews from the city’s disaster response office raced against time to spruce up the venue and surrounding areas for the games, a hosting job three years in the making.
In its latest bulletin, the weather bureau said “Falcon” has intensified into a severe tropical storm but is unlikely to make landfall and is expected to exit today.
Aside from the grim scenario of seeing athletes battle for glory amid stormy weather conditions, the city has also prepared for the “Big One,” the city laying smack in the center of the Marikina West Valley fault.
Last Saturday, the city government raised the second alarm as water level in the Marikina River rose to 16 meters. The alarm was lifted at press time yesterday after water level receded to 14.9 meters.
A highly reliable insider said the city LGU has put up precautionary measures for the Palarong Pambansa’s return after it was mothballed since 2019 due to the lethal COVID-19 pandemic.
“Marikina residents affected by the typhoon will be evacuated to different areas designated by their barangays,” the insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. “Athletes who are in the billeting schools are given priorities in case disaster strikes. Before, schools served as evacuation sites but it’s different now because of the Palarong Pambansa.
“There were earthquake drills held at the billeting quarters for the Palarong Pambansa regional delegations– athletes, coaches, and DepEd officials so they will be ready when, knock on wood, an earthquake occurs.”
Marikina is hosting the Palarong Pambansa for the first time. It hosted the 1980 Palarong Bagong Lipunan, with only the Asean School Games in 2014 as its notable hosting of a major sporting event.
Under the theme “Batang Malakas, Bansang Matatag,” the country’s premier joust for elementary and high school students has drawn 9,172 athletes, coaches, and officials from 17 regions.
Larong lahi will be an exhibition this year with sports such as kadang-kadang, tumbang preso, and patintero.
The para games, weightlifting, and obstacle course racing are also listed as exhibition sports, while dance sports, pencak silat, and e-sports take center stage as demonstration sports.
Powerhouse National Capital Region is bidding to annex its 15th straight overall title in the Palarong Pambansa after bagging 86 gold, 71 silver, and 56 bronze medals in Davao three years ago.
