DAVAO CITY — The Davao City government will formalize its bid for the hosting of Palarong Pambansa in 2019.
The formal bid will be submitted to the Department of Education (Deped) Palarong Pambansa Board after the city is through with its hosting of the Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) Meer which opens on Sunday.
City Sports Division head Michael Denton Aportadera bared he will go to Manila on February 28 to formally ask DepEd for the hosting of the Palaro.
“On the 28th, I will fly to Luzon to officially bid for the 2019 Palarong Pambansa. The hosting of DAVRAA is one of the requirements before we can bid for the Palaro,” Aportadera said.
He said the city is ready for the hosting of the Palaro since it already has the sporting facilities.
“The basic facilities needed to hold Palaro are oval track, stadium and an Olympic standard swimming pool,” he said.
Aportadera said facilities at the University of Philippines/Mindanao will be completed by then. Also, the the DAVRAA hosting is considered as a dry run to the 2019 Palarong Pambansa.
Earlier, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she is keen to host big sporting events to help the tourism industry in the city.
Duterte-Carpio said these events will also boost businesses in the city especially the micro, small and medium enterprises.