Department of Education Regional Director Mildred Garay yesterday said she is 90 percent sure Negros Occidental will win the bid to host the April 2013 Palarong Pambansa.

Garay, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Bago Mayor Ramon Torres, and representatives of Bacolod, Silay and Talisay cities, and Murcia town joined a meeting at the Bacolod Pavillon Resort Hotel yesterday to finalize the presentation of the province, including the list of billeting areas for Palaro guests, for the national bidding expected sometime in August or September.

Also bidding for the Palaro is Dumaguete City, but Garay said she believes that Negros Occidental is more prepared and has the facilities in place for the hosting of the event.

“My assessment is we will win (the bid to host the Palarong Pambansa)”, she said.

About 6,800 athletes from 17 regions of the country are expected to join the Parong Pambansa in April, but we are preparing for 20,000 people to include officials of the various delegations and relatives of athletes, she said.

The Palaro hosting will be done in partnership with the DepEd and the Negros Occidental provincial government, Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay cities, and Murcia town, she said.

Marañon Jr. said that if Negros Occidental wins the bid, April will be the perfect time because the province will also be celebrating its annual Panaad sa Negros Festival.

The governor said he was informed that Cebu is no longer bidding for the Palaro so Negros Occidental’s competitor for the hosting is Negros Oriental.

“I think we can offer better facilities and billeting areas,” he said. It was pointed out that Negros Occidental has already hosted numerous national and international sports events.

Negros Occidental is known for its cuisine, hospitality and tourists attractions, the governor also pointed out.

“We will fill our guests’ eyes and stomachs with happiness (and) when they go home they will want to come back to Negros Occidental again,” he added.*CPG

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