Palarong Pambansa opening ceremony (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro suspended on Monday the Palarong Pambansa 2020 supposed to be held on May 1 to 9 after the city recorded its first confirmed case of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Putting the safety of the athletes and their families first, Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro suspends the Palarong Pambansa 2020 in May because of the threat posed by COVID-19,” a text message sent to reporters by the Marikina City local government unit (LGU) read.
The confirmed COVID-19 case in the city is an 86-year-old person living in Marikina City and who recently traveled to the coronavirus-hit South Korea.
Teodoro has ordered “massive” disinfection in the city following this confirmation.
In January this year, the Department of Education announced that the City of Marikina will host the annual sporting event after Occidental Mindoro disaster risk management office recommended the province’s withdrawal to host the games following the devastation brought by typhoon “Tisoy” in December.
It was supposed to be the first time that Marikina City will host the sporting competition.