VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — This year’s Palarong Pambansa hasn’t even started.
But the host for next year’s competition is now known.
Davao City was named the host of the 2019 “Palaro” as confirmed during the pre-event press conference of the 2018 games at the Vigan Convention Center here on Saturday night.
The said city, the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte, got the nod over the bids of Zamboanga Del Sur, General Santos City, and Misamis Occidental.
According to city assistant administrator Lawrence Batindig, the successful hosting of the 2018 DAVRAA Meet helped the city land the coveted Palarong Pambansa hosting rights.
“Napakita naman natin doon sa presentation natin that very successful po yung staging ng DAVRAA doon sa Davao,” Batindig said.
He even bared that the said city would also host next year’s DAVRAA games, giving the Davaoenos an early glimpse of what to expect for the Palaro.
Meanwhile, DepEd secretary Leonor Briones clarified that Duterte did not influence the decision to name his hometown the 2019 Palaro host.