The 2011 POC-PSC National Games opened yesterday in Bacolod City with thousands of runners led by James and Phil Younghusbands of the Philippine men’s football team, Azkals, joining the Fun Run that started and ended at the Bacolod City Government Center.

Jointly organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission as a synchronized competition among the 34 national sports associations in the country, the weeklong National Games has drawn participation from 686 national athletes. With tournament officials, trainers, team mangers and other guests, organizers are expecting 8,000 guests in Bacolod this week.

Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Gina Bautista- Martin has issued  Sugar Order No. 9 granting advance swapping of crop year 2010-2011 “B” or domestic sugar to “A” or U.S.. market sugar.

Martin issued the order Friday, noting that the  Philippines has been given an   additional allocation of 60,000 MTRV or  57,480 metric tons for shipment to the United States in addition to its basic yearly quota of 136,000 MT.

The volume of verified “A”  quedans for shipment to the US has reached more than 174,000 metric tons  as of May 16 , which is not enough to fully serve the total US  allocation  for the current quota year, the order said.

Philippine Ports Authority and  Department of Environment and Natural Resources officials are set to sign a memorandum of agreement to resolve their conflicts regarding the ownership of the Banago port in Bacolod City, Rep. Anthony Golez (Bacolod)  said yesterday.

PPA and DENR contested the ownership and operational jurisdiction of the port after the expiration of the foreshore lease contract agreement entered into by the shipping firm, Negros Navigation Co., with the government, in August 2009.

DENR Undersecretary Manuel Geroche had earlier said that, under the provisions of Commonwealth Act 141, the administration of all public land, except those conclusively transferred to other government agencies, lies with the DENR.