No less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines celebrated the milestones of the 64th Palarong Pambansa being held in Cebu City.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. highlighted the debut participation of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) and Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs), alongside the other 17 Department of Education-recognized regional delegations.

“This event is more than just an inter-school [and] inter-regional competition; it is also a platform where we discover, where we develop, and hone future professional athletes, Olympians, and servant-leaders,” the President said.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann, who was also with PBBM during the lighting of the torch, echoed the President’s statements and lauded the role of school-based organizations in providing prestigious platforms for aspiring athletes.

He reiterated that the sports agency is intensely preparing for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games while expressing eagerness in discovering new talents who will carry the national flag in future global sporting meets. 

“The present is bright, but the future looks brighter seeing these young athletes ready to showcase their own version of history here in Cebu City,” Bachmann said.

Additionally, new sports will get going in this year’s edition of the Palaro including Soft Tennis, Karatedo, Football for Secondary Girls, and E-sports as exhibition sports, including the Dancesport which will be played regularly already.

The Philippine President also emphasized the tournament’s digitalization which will provide exceptional experience for all the young athletes that will also bring benefits beyond sports.

“The values and virtues that will be displayed and put into practice here—such as excellence, teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and most importantly sportsmanship—are the same ideals that we need to succeed in life and build a great nation,” the President stated.

The PSC Chief, together with DepEd Asec.  and Palarong Pambansa Secretary-general Francis Cesar Bringas and Dir. Leocadio Trovela representing the Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Benhur Abalos, hoisted the Palarong Pambansa flag to mark the unwavering commitment of the government to the country’s grassroots sports program.

PSC Comm. Edward Hayco and Philippine Paralympic Committee President Mike Barredo also attended the opening tilt.