LINGAYEN — There is a strong possibility that the Palarong Pambansa this year will be staged in the province of Pangasinan.

“There is already an information to that effect,” admits Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis.

He said this is not bad because this would be the second time in 11 years that Pangasinan is hosting the Palarong Pambansa.

The province of Pangasinan already played host to the Palarong Pambansa in 1995 during the
administration of President Fidel V. Ramos, a son of Lingayen.

“I hope it’s not only a rumor but a fact,” Solis enthused.

A report showed that Department of Education is now scouting for a new alternative venue that will host the Palarong Pambansa because the next host, Palawan, still lacks the necessary infrastructures.

Laoag City, the next alternative to Palawan, may not be ready for the games yet.

Solis said that if this is the case, he is hoping that a negotiation will take place very soon regarding this matter among all agencies involved.

The province just refurbished the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen that became the venue for the Private Schools Athletic Association national games from Feb. 6 to 12.

“But considering that the Palarong Pambansa is a lot bigger than the PRISAA national games, the existing facilities might not yet be enough at this moment,” Solis said.

In the 1995, Palarong Pambansa, the additional venue aside from the NRSCC was the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation sports complex in San Carlos City which is still available till today.

Solis said just this month of March, the Ilocos Region Athletic Association meet will be held at the NRSCC to be hosted by the Pangasinan School Division under Dr. Alma Ruby Torio. (PNA)