MANILA – Marikina City has withdrawn from hosting the 2020 Palarong Pambansa after an American national in the city was tested positive to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19).
Marikina City mayor Marcelino Teodoro announced on March 9 that the withdrawal was made after consulting with the officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Palarong Pambansa board to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Teodoro’s decision to withdraw the city from hosting the annual sports meet for elementary and high school students came after an 86-year-old male, who had a travel history to South Korea, tested positive for COVID-19 in the city.
The mayor also ordered a massive disinfection of Marikina. A memorandum for the strict compliance of disinfection in schools, malls, and other public spaces will be issued immediately.
Earlier this year, Marikina City was announced as the host of the annual sports meet after the withdrawal of the original host Occidental Mindoro following the damages it faced brought by Typhoon Tisoy.
DepEd earlier announced the suspension of all national and regional events scheduled “until further notice” after the rise of numbers COVID-19 cases in the country.
It is not clear, however, whether DepEd will still continue with the Palarong Pambansa this year, or to totally do away with the sporting event./PN
