President Rodrigo Duterte hailed the return of the biggest multi-event national sports conclave to Davao City in 69 years and led his hometown’s hospitality rollout to the 18,000 delegates on Sunday.
The President formally declared the 2019 Palarong Pambansa open after a 20-minute inspirational message on a rain-soaked afternoon at the Davao City Sports Complex in University of the Philippines Mindanao.
A visibly thrilled President Duterte came on time without showing any signs of fatigue from his recent trip to China as he addressed delegates from the 17 regions of the country by compassionately expressing his willingness to make the country a better place to live for the next generations even in exchange of his own life.
The president also encouraged the youth to avoid the dangerous drugs and warned the drug dealers that includes foreigners to kill them if they keep on destroying the country.
“Do not destroy my land. Papatayin ko talaga kayo,” Duterte said.
“(This is) the last thing I will do for my country. If I go to hell, and burn in eternity, so be it. If you want me hanged, or face a firing squad, I will be happy that I die for the next generation,” he added.
Davao City last hosted the national sports meet in 1950 when the Palarong Pambansa was then known as the Bureau of Public Schools Interscholastic Athletic Association meet.
“I congratulate the people of Davao for hosting this annual sports event for the second time since 1950. I am proud that after so many years my home city, once again proudly welcome young promising athletes from all over the country,” he shared. “In behalf of Davao City and the rest of the nation, I welcome you elementary and secondary students from public and private schools all over the country to participate in the 36 sports event. We also wish all the best for the participants.”
