The national finals of the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission Batang Pinoy 2012 will push through as scheduled today in Iloilo City despite incoming typhoon Pablo.

The media advisory of the PSC, said host Mayor Patrick Mabilog and the Risk Reduction Management Team of Iloilo City, Batang Pinoy Project Director Jay Alano agreed to push through the national finals after the typhoon weakened, based on the latest weather forecast.

"The latest weather update states that the storm is a little weaker and might not hit land but will bring rains. We are monitoring the weather 24/7 because the safety of the athletes is our primordial concern," Alano said.

Finalists from the five qualifying legs converge at the West Visayas State University for the opening ceremonies to be led by re-elected POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr., PSC chairman Richie Garcia and the local officials headed by Mabilog.

Close to 2,000 athletes, coaches and officials are expected to gather for the week-long competition of athletes aged 15 years old and below.

A total of 14 sports will be played in the competition that also aims to discover young talents for the Youth Olympic Games.

Centerpiece events athletics and swimming will be played at the Iloilo Sports Complex where organizers are hoping to tap new talents to be part of the national pool.

Archery, arnis, badminton, basketball, boxing, chess, karatedo, lawn tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, and wushu are also in the calendar of the National Finals.

Mabilog said the province is ready for the competition and is ensuring that everyone's stay in this capital of Iloilo province will be memorable and fruitful.

A solidarity meeting is set for Tuesday morning for the participants at the Iloilo Sports Complex Covered Gym before the formal opening rites in the afternoon.

Actions start tomorrow with games already to be played in athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, swimming, table tennis and archery.

The level of competition is expected to be high as the participants are winners of the qualifying legs in Marikina City , Lingayen, Pangasinan, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte and Tacloban City .*PNA

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