Western Visayas athletes have started training at different venues in Pangasinan and will submit their papers for screening and accreditation to the Palarong Pambansa committee today at 4 p.m., Negros Occidental DepEd Provincial Sports head Romeo Sison said.

The contingent from Western Visayas, composed of athletes and officials from Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and Antique, arrived in Pangasinan on Monday and are billeted at San Carlos Central School II in San Carlos City, a 35-minute drive from Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Lingayen, main venue of the 2012 Palarong Pambansa set May 6 - 12.

Officials of the delegation made an ocular inspection of the playing venues in Dagupan, San Carlos and Lingayen yesterday and were satisfied with the condition of the areas.

Transportation for the Western Visayas delegation, Sison said, will not be a problem as they have rented five jeepneys and the host province an additional two vehicles for the delegation.

While finishing touches are still being done at the Narciso Ramos Sports Center, Sison said the venue will be ready in time for the opening of the games on May 6. The official opening ceremony will be on May 7 with President Benigno Aquino III as guest.

For the screening and accreditation of athletes and officials, Sison they have already prepared everything and they are confident that the National Screening and Accreditation Committee will not find any deficiency in the papers of the athletes from Region VI.

Right after the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet in Bacolod City, Sison said they have already started preparing all documents needed for the national Palaro.

The screening committee is composed of 25 members, eight of them from the Department of Education Central Office, and one authorized representative each from 17 participating regions.

Screening and accreditation started on April 28, or a week before the games to ensure fairness and honesty in the competition.

Stressing the importance of the screening processs, DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, secretary general of 2012 Palaro, said they will be strictly following the rules and guidelines to make sure that the Palaro will be free from any controversy.

To qualify for the Palarong Pambansa, athletes must be Filipino citizens, elementary or secondary from public or private schools who have participated in Division and Regional Meets.

As a general rule, elementary athletes shall play in the elementary division while secondary athletes shall play in the secondary division.

Athletes who have been declared overage will not be allowed to play in the competition. However, elementary athletes who have been declared overage in elementary level may be allowed to play in secondary level.

Acquiring failing grades in more than two core subjects in the second grading period is also a ground for disqualification. Athletes who are past or current members of the National Team, National Training Pool and/or Development Pool, receiving monthly stipend from the Philippine Sports Commission or those who have played in SEA Games, ASEAN Games and/or Olympic Games, will not be allowed to compete.

NSAC shall consider replacements for disqualified athletes during the period of screening.

The screening and accreditation will end on tomorrow.*NAB

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