DepEd postpones Palarong Pambansa amid COVID-19 threat

The Department of Education has postponed the Palarong Pambansa as part of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19), a radio report said Monday.

In his report on Dobol B sa News TV, GMA reporter Emil Sumangil said it was Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro who made the announcement after  consultation with the Palaro board and other DepEd officials.

Marikina City was supposed to host the annual sports meet for elementary and high school students in May this year.

Earlier in the day, Teodoro  said there is a confirmed COVID-19 case in Marikina City—an 86-year-old male who had a travel history to South Korea.

The DepEd earlier announced the suspension of  all national and regional events scheduled “until further notice” following the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

It said the suspension covers events involving students from different localities such as the Palaro Regional Meets.

However, DepEd said the National Festival of Talents (NFOT) and National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) will push through as scheduled “since participants are already at the venue.”

The NFOT will be held in Ilagan City, Isabela, while the NSPC will be hosted in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Both events will run from March 9 to 13.— AOL/RSJ, GMA News