14th Palarong Pampook opens in Surigao City

Delegates from the host province -- Surigao del Norte Athletic
Association. (Photo: PIA-Surigao del Norte)

The 14th Palarong Pampook finally opened on Sunday, March 13, 2011 in Surigao City, with the region’s best and brightest student athletes from all 9 DepED divisions battling it out for pride and glory.

The traditional parade of 9 participating delegations from the divisions of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Bislig City, Butuan City, Siargao, Dinagat, Surigao del Norte and Surigao City; the lighting of the symbolic urn; the field demonstration of the students and teachers; and the 10-minute fireworks display highlighted the opening ceremonies gathering around 10,000 athletes, coaches, officials, guests and expectators.

Former DepED Secretary now Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Buth” Abad, was the keynote speaker of the opening ceremonies at the new Surigao del Norte Provincial Sports Complex.

Abad revealed that the DepED’s budget allocation for the fiscal year 2011 has increased by P32.3 billion to P207.3 billion. “Malaki ang increase ng budget sa DepED hindi dahil tagaDepED ako dati, kung hindi kinikilala ng ating pangulo ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon sa pagpapaunlad ng ating bansa.”

Host Governor Sol Matugas and Mayor Ernesto Matugas welcomed the participants in the weeklong event.
"As the host city, it is my honor and privilege to welcome you all to the city of Surigao," said Mayor Matugas in his short message.

Gov. Matugas acknowledged the presence of the good secretary – her former boss when she was still a regional director of the Department of Education. She also thanked the working committees who made all the necessary preparations to the event. “We acknowledged them sincerely and their contributions to this event. Salamat Karadjaw!”

2nd district Rep. Guillermo Romarate, on the other hand, is hopeful that with the conduct of the Palarong Pampook, “Caraganons will become a major contributor to the country’s sports development.”

A total of 17 sporting events will be played in the different venues. Among the events to be played are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, gymnastics, sipa/sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwando, tennis, and volleyball. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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