Baguio, Benguet all set for Batang Pinoy

EVEN with the threat of rains in the Summer Capital, the Batang Pinoy national finals will go on as scheduled.

Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Celia Kiram said all playing venues for the annual sports gathering for children 16 years old and below are ready for the weeklong meet.

“We hope and pray that during that time, there will be no more rains in the city,” said Kiram of the sports meet slated September 15-21.

Kiram said more than 7,000 athletes, coaches, chaperons and guest are expected to flock Baguio City and nearby La Trinidad, Benguet during the national finals.

Kiram said aside from school children, out-of-school youth are also encouraged to join Batang Pinoy.

Earlier, Mayor Mauricio Domogan instructed billeting personnel and volunteers to make

sure there will be adequate lighting fixtures and more importantly sufficient water supply to avoid problems that could affect the delegates’ perception of the city.

The 1,600-strong Luzon delegates and sports officials will be billeted in the various buildings of the Baguio City High School, while the 1,500 Mindanao-based athletes and sports officials will be housed at the Baguio Central School, Josefa Carno Elementary School and the Pines City National High School, with Guisad Valley National High School serving as an additional billeting area if the situation warrants it.

On the other hand, the 1,500 athletes and coaches who will be participating in the six events that will be held in Benguet will be billeted in the various public schools in La Trinidad. The 1,400 Visayas-based athletes and coaches will be housed at the Mabini Elementary School, Quezon Elementary School and SPED Center.

The city’s Baguio Athletic Bowl will serve as the premier playing venue of the various events, while the gymnasiums of private and public institutions were also tapped to serve as sites for 21 events that be played across the different parts of the city.

Technical personnel of the PSC were in Baguio and Benguet over the past several days to assess and evaluate the preparations for the Batang Pinoy national finals. (Sun.Star Philippines)