BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental provincial government won the bid to host the 64th Palarong Pambansa in 2021 through a majority vote.
Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who led the bid presentation last Jan., said the province is “ready and very eager” to host the national sports event.
The right to host anew the annual national sports competition was awarded to the province by the Palarong Pambansa Board and the Department of Education (DepEd) in Wednesday’s special board meeting.
Negros Occidental edged out Capiz province in its bid to host the Palarong Pambansa for the sixth time since 1971.
DepEd School Sports Division chief Cesar Abalon led the joint technical inspection and validation of the proposed playing venues and billeting quarters last Feb.
The team went to the cities of Bago, Bacolod, Silay, and Talisay, and also checked various schools in Bacolod.
Negros Occidental hosted the Palarong Pambansa in 2000, two years after the Panaad Park and Stadium was opened for the hosting of the same event in 1998.
The province has the most number of Palarong Pambansa events in history hosting the annual sports competition in 1971, 1974, 1979, 1998, and 2000. (With a report from PNA/PN)