Baguio-Benguet Bids To Host 2018 Palarong Pambansa

Baguio City and Benguet province strengthen its bid to host the 2018 Palarong Pambansa when government agencies and the private sector came together on Aug. 10 to pledge their support for the bid. Baguio and Benguet are among the 6 cities and municipalities bidding for the hosting of the annual sports event.

According to the Baguio Midland Courier, on hand during the signing were representatives from the Department of Education, several higher education institutions, as well as key government agencies in charge of traffic and public safety.

‘Cool Climate Is Our Biggest Advantage,’ Says Mayor Domogan

In a separate report by the Baguio Midland Courier, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said he has high hopes that Baguio and Benguet will win the bid. He cites that the biggest advantage is the temperate and cool climate up in the mountains. Unlike the previous venues of the Palaro, athletes in Baguio need not fear that they will get heat exhaustion.

Competitions can still continue even under the heat of the midday sun, as the cooler climate makes this possible. The mayor quipped, “That will not happen here, as we are blessed with a very good climate that enables us to walk under the sun the whole day.”

Private And Public Sector Partnerships Will Make The Hosting Possible

According to another Baguio Midland Courier report, the different division offices of the DepEd have agreed to serve as accommodation venues for the athletes. Higher education institutions in Baguio and Benguet are also amenable to host the competitions in their sports venues and facilities.

The police and fire department have pledged to take care of traffic and public safety, while public utility offices like Baguio Water District and BENECO were on hand to pledge their support.

The technical working committee for the Palaro bid will be presenting their proposal to DepEd Central Office in a few weeks. DepEd will announce next year’s host in October.