Gov’t agencies join forces for PNG

MANILA - Representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of National Defense, Philippine National Police, Public Communications Operations Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Education met with the Executive Board of the Philippine Sports Commission yesterday and discussed preparations for the Philippine National Games.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez thanked the officers in attendance, saying, “PSC is a small agency with a huge task. We can only do this successfully with your help.”

The Philippine National Games, considered the national Olympics, shall see almost 9,000 participants from 115 local government units from all over the country and slated May 19 to 25 in Cebu.

The PNG was initially scheduled in December with five areas in Cebu to serve as clusters for different events.

Ramirez cited the “security, comfort and health of all participants as prime concerns that we want to ensure are covered.”

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, the oversight official for Visayas region, seconded Ramirez saying, “We are happy that we can all come together for sports.”

Deputy Director General Angelo Villar of the Philippine Information Agency expressed his agency’s support and contributed ideas as to the communication and promotions plan for the event. Representatives of the other agencies followed suit, each expressing their support and suggesting actions their agencies can do for the event.

The body agreed to meet again in March to update on actions taken by each agency to prepare for the event.

“Unity and solidarity. The goal in totality is to succeed together,” Ramirez said in closing. PSC