MANILA, Phililppines—Davao del Norte officials expect about 20,000 visitors to flock to the province when it hosts the Palarong Pambansa on May 3 to 9.
Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario said the provincial government is pulling all stops to prepare the playing venues and billeting quarters for the athletes from the country’s 17 regions and has put up strict security measures to make its Palaro hosting a success.
But more than that, Del Rosario said they are bracing for a tourism boom during the games, which usually attracts about 10,000 student athletes and their coaches.
“We will promote out tourist attractions so they can learn more about our province,” he said.
Del Rosario said that Davao del Norte boasts of world-class beaches located in the Island Garden City of Samal, the banana plantations and mariculture park in Panabo City, the natural caves and waterfalls in San Isidro, New Corella and Kapalong, the ecological park in Sto. Tomas, organic rice farms of B.E. Dujali, the historic Ising Monument in Carmen, Madgao River cruise in Asuncion, the forest-like plantation in Tagum City, and the cultural heritage sites in Talaingod.
Del Rosario said they will make sure the Palaro participants enjoy not just the games but the many attractions the province.
Marc Anthony Reyes