TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte provincial officials, in coordination with officials of Leyte and Tacloban City divisions of Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office 8, on Tuesday led the kick-off ceremony for the 2009 Palarong Pambansa.

Government officials, students and teachers started the ceremony with a parade around the main streets in the city of Tacloban, followed by a program to formally announce the Palarong Pambansa 2009 which is set to be held on April 26-May 2.

The theme of Palarong Pambansa 2009 is “Bridging Unity, Peace and Progress through Sports.”

The activity marked the start of the 90-day countdown for the national sportsfest that would be hosted by Leyte.

Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla unveiled the official mascot for the 2009 national summer games.

Cynthia Nieras, Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas, said she sees the national sports event as a good opportunity for the region, not just for sports but also for business. She assured also the hospitality of the people of the region in accepting sports participants and visitors.

"We are ready to serve our visitor-athletes from the 16 regions in the country who are expected to visit the region to attend the annual sports event," she said.

The Mayors’ League in the province also expressed its support to the activity.

Petilla, assured also that all the necessary preparations are being done to meet the perfect Palarong Pambansa 2009.

"We are doing everything to fasttrack the rehabilitation of the sports facilities that will be used by the athletes during the event"

Aside from Petilla, DepEd Undersecretary Franklin Sunga ,Tarlac Gov. Victor Yap and other governors of Region 8 were present during the event. Also present were Leyte provincial officials, regional directors of various government agencies, other local government officials and the DepEd regional and provincial officials.

Last year, the annual sports event was held in Palawan and the host city was Puerto Princesa.

Officials of Leyte province and DepEd are reportedly preparing a grand opening ceremony for the Palarong Pambansa 2009.

Sports and showbiz stars including "Peoples Champ" Manny Pacquiao are also expected to grace the grand opening.

DepEd Region 8 Director Sol Matugas, for her part, expressed optimism that the Palarong Pambansa that would be hosted by Leyte will be a very successful one with the support and cooperation of all the sectors of society.