THE Mindanao leg of the Batang Pinoy finally pushes through in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental this March, after Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez, Oroquieta City Vice Mayor Lemuel Acosta and Misamis Occidental Governor Herminia Ramiro signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday in Sinacapan, Misamis Occidental officially awarding the games’ hosting rights to the province and city.
Ramirez expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of Oroquieta City.
“We are happy to come to Oroquieta for the Batang Pinoy. The City has developed a lot since I lived here years ago and we are heartened to see that along with this economic upsurge is sports development,”
Ramiro in her speech thanked the PSC for entrusting her province with the hosting chores of Batang Pinoy.
“This is a chance not only to show the progress of our province showcase our our natural bounties but also to connect with our peers in the Mindanao region,” Ramiro said.
The host province and city showed their readiness to the PSC and the media in a brief update presented by Cristy Sapnot, Misamis Occ Provincial Athletic Complex Manager.
Some 200 volunteers are set to be trained to assist in the event and almost 300 police personnel to be deployed to secure all venues.
The Mindanao leg will see 19 sports played in the same number of venues. An estimated 4,000 participants will be coming to Oroquieta City to vie for a total 1,074 medals from March 6 to 12.
Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg was postponed twice last year for security concerns.
Ramiro confidently assured every one of the safety in their province.
Oroquieta Mayor Jason Almonte was represented by Acosta, who cited the importance of sports in the character building of the youth and congratulated everyone in advance “for hosting the best ever Batang Pinoy.”
Opening ceremonies will be on March 6 at the Misamis Occidental Provincial Athletic Complex.
This Batang Pinoy edition is the first multi-sports event of this magnitude to be hosted by Misamis Occidental, which will bid for the hosting of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa.
“We want to host a notable Batang Pinoy to also show our readiness to host the Palarong Pambansa next year,” said Ramiro.