MARIKINA City totally scrapped its hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in May after it was confirmed on Monday that a resident tested positive of the coronavirus.
Mayor Marcy Teodoro decided to call of its turn to host the multisport competition among student-athletes of elementary and high-school age after consulting with Department of Education and Department of Health officials.
Marikina City is supposed to host the Palaro from May 1 to 9. The city took over from Mindoro, which begged off after a strong typhoon hit the province last year.
The city confirmed its first case of the COVID-19 from an 86-year-old male who traveled to South Korea. Quezon City also reported one victim later in the day which bringing the total in the country to 10.
The DepEd also simultaneously announced that it is suspending all national and regional events to avoid transmission of the virus.
That meant all regional athletic association meets that select athletes who will compete in the Palaro have been canceled.
Sports events in the country, like elsewhere in the world, have been impacted by the virus.
The Asean Para Games was scheduled for later this month but was postponed for the last week of May, no longer at the New Clark City which was transformed into a quarantine center.
Two International Cycling Union races—Le Tour de Filipinas which will run its 11th edition from May 1 to 5 and the PruRide Philippines—were also canceled.