All roads lead to Lingayen, Pangasinan on May 6 to 12, 2012 as elementary and secondary students from public and private schools compete for national athletic honors in the 2012 Palarong Pambansa.

As stipulated in DepEd Memo No. 22 series of 2012, this year’s host of the annual national sporting event is the provincial government of Pangasinan and DepEd Regional Office 1 assisted by the schools division office of Pangasinan and the city schools division offices of San Carlos City and Dagupan City.

Education Secretary Br. Armin a. Luistro FSC described the Palaro as “an important component of the basic education curriculum because it promotes physical education and sports which are part of the full development of the youth’s potential.”

He further explained, “when we say total human development, we mean to develop persons who are physically fit, socially responsible, and globally competitive.”

DepEd has allocated some P136.5 million for this year’s Palaro. Most of the events will be played at the Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Lingayen while the rest will be in the cities of San Carlos and Dagupan and the towns of Bugallon and Binmaley. Some 10,000 athletes, coaches and sports officials from the country’s 17 regions are expected to participate in the country’s biggest sports spectacle.

Student–athletes who stand out from the Palaro serve as feeder to the National Sports Associations for further training for international competitions. “In a way, the results of the Palaro provide a database for a more sound and relevant school development program,” added Luistro.

The National Executive Committee of the Palaro is chaired by the Undersecretary for Regional Operations. Acting as co-chairmen are the provincial governor and the DepEd regional director.

photo via realspots.wordpress.com