Preparations for Ilocos Norte’s hosting of the highly anticipated Palarong Pambansa 2025 is in full swing, the provincial government said Thursday.
In a statement, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said the province is ready to provide a memorable experience for the event’s 15,000 expected participants, including athletes, coaches, and officials.
While almost all the competition venues and billeting schools have been prepared, the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office has been enlisting residential houses in the province that can be offered as homestay for the tournament’s delegation.
“Interested home owners may enlist their properties for homestay to nearest tourism office along with the address, contact person and number for coordination,” senior provincial tourism operations officer Xavier Ruiz said.
To be enlisted, the Provincial Tourism Office requires the barangay clearance of the owner, proposed rate per night, and the number of available rooms equipped with basic necessities such as running water, electricity, bathroom, kitchen and dining area.
The deadline of submission is until Friday unless extended.
Palarong Pambansa 2025 will run from May 24 to June 2.
With a total of 289 accredited tourism service providers in the province based on the latest provincial tourism data, Manotoc called on Ilocos residents to share their homes to let visitors experience the Ilocano brand of hospitality.
Ilocos Norte is known to have a number of big houses that are barely used as they are mostly vacation houses of owners living abroad.
“We are encouraging the private sector to get on board for Palaro and help each other to get more sponsorships to make everything ready and ideal for all visitors,” Manotoc said following a meeting with key officials.
The engineering and sports development offices of local government units have also conducted detailed inspections of billeting centers to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for the athletes and other delegates.
The provincial government has also coordinated with the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) and PrimeWater to ensure uninterrupted services in concerned areas.
The Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office, meanwhile, has beefed up its security personnel and formulated a traffic scheme for the upcoming big event. (PNA)
