THE Department of Education (DepEd) and the city government of Cebu has signed a memorandum of agreement on Friday, February 2, sealing the hosting of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa by the "Queen City of the South."

This will be the third time for Cebu to host the Palaro, as the city also hosted the games in 1954 and 1994.

In her speech at the Cebu City Hall on Friday, Vice President Sara Duterte said that DepEd affirms its unwavering dedication to support young athletes.

"Our primary goal is to equip them with the necessary tools to nurture discipline, resilience and the indomitable spirit required to pursue their athletic passions," said Duterte, who is also the DepEd secretary.

She also said that the unique character and vaunted hospitality of Cebu City will make the Palaro "even more memorable for all student athletes."

The city's bid to host the Palaro was spearheaded by its mayor, Michael Rama, who called their campaign an "emotional" one.

John Pages, Cebu City Sports Commission chairman, added that the city had to wait 30 years to host the Palaro again and expressed the readiness of the city to meet the requirements and specifications for the venues of each sport.

The grand opening ceremony is slated at the Cebu City Sports Center, the same venue where the 1994 Palaro was also opened.

Under the memorandum of agreement, the Education department, in coordination with the city government of Cebu, will ensure security provisions and measures, transportation and communications provisions, and other requirements for the event.

The Cebu City government, on the other hand, is tasked to create and convene the Local Palaro Executive Committee and Secretariat, and would facilitate the sourcing of the funds for the necessary expenses for the event, especially for the sports facilities, billeting quarters and other infrastructural requirements of the host.

The Palarong Pambansa returned to an in-person competition in August 2023 in Marikina City after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Around 12,000 student athletes from across the country are expected to participate.