Ilocos Norte: Preparations for Ilocos Norte’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2025 are progressing steadily, according to the provincial government. Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc has announced that the province is prepared to offer a memorable experience for the 15,000 anticipated participants, including athletes, coaches, and officials who will attend the event.
According to Philippines News Agency, while nearly all competition venues and billeting schools have been set up, the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office is working to enlist residential houses in the province as homestays for the tournament’s delegation. Senior provincial tourism operations officer Xavier Ruiz stated that interested homeowners can register their properties for homestay at the nearest tourism office, providing their address, contact details, and other necessary information for coordination.
To qualify for listing, the Provincial Tourism Office requires a barangay clearance from the homeowner, proposed nightly rates, and details on available rooms complete with essential amenities such as running water, electricity, and kitchen facilities. The deadline for submission is set for Friday, with potential extensions.
The Palarong Pambansa 2025 is scheduled to run from May 24 to June 2. With 289 accredited tourism service providers in the province as per the latest data, Governor Manotoc has urged Ilocos residents to open their homes to visitors to showcase the Ilocano brand of hospitality. Ilocos Norte is known for having several large houses, often used as vacation homes by owners residing abroad.
Governor Manotoc emphasized the importance of private sector involvement, encouraging collaboration for sponsorships to ensure a successful event. Local government units’ engineering and sports development offices have conducted thorough inspections of billeting centers to guarantee a safe and comfortable environment for all delegates.
In preparation for the event, the provincial government has coordinated with the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) and PrimeWater to assure uninterrupted services in key areas. Additionally, the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Office has increased its security personnel and devised a traffic management plan for the event.
