The Philippine National Volleyball Federation took the first step in forging a more solid partnership with the Department of Education in the conduct of volleyball competitions in the Palarong Pambansa.
PNVF Secretary General Donald Caringal, Executive Director Maria Louise Principe and Referees’ Commission Nestor Bello recently met with Dr. Maximo Abalos and Edward Masukat II of the DepEd Palarong Pambansa Secretariat to lay the foundations of the partnership that embed deep into grassroots sports through the Palaro.
“We are very excited to have a collaboration meeting with the DepEd-Palarong Pambansa Secretariat,” Caringal said. “We were able to align our goals, especially with this type of partnership that will surely be successful.”
The Palaro, like all other sports events, was shuttered during the Covid-19 pandemic also the games for secondary school athletes were revived at a toned down scale this year.
Caringal said the partnership won’t be limited to the conduct of the Palaro, but on the volleyball career development of coaches and technical officials.
The DepEd has yet to decide on the Palaro’s return in 2023, but both Caringal and Bello are confident that with Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte’s progressive approach, the games’ revival would be expected soon.
“The PNVF, and the FIVB [International Volleyball Federation], are willing to cooperate with the DepEd to promote the sport to the youth,” said PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who, with Caringal, met earlier with newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Noli Eala to discuss volleyball for the sports agency’s program..