GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 17 Feb) – It’s all systems go for the 2016 National Festival of Talents (NFOT) and National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) that are slated next week in this city and nearby Koronadal City in South Cotabato.
Dr. Arturo Bayocot, Department of Education (DepEd) Region 12 director, said Wednesday they have finalized the necessary preparations for the two events, which will be joined by nearly 6,500 delegates from the country’s 17 regions.
The NFOT and NSPC will be held simultaneously from Feb. 22 to 26.
“Everything is all set and we’re just waiting for the arrival of the delegates, and the start of these events,” he said in a press conference at the DepEd-12 regional office in Koronadal City.
A total of 4,794 delegates from 17 regions are expected to participate in the NSPC, which is considered as the biggest annual gathering of top student journalists.
The delegates include student writers, school paper advisers or coaches, trainers as well as regional delegation heads and officials.
For the NFOT, DepEd-12 is expecting a total of 1,666 participants or 98 each from every regional delegation.
Bayocot assured that the regional office and the host cities for the NFOT and NSPC have well accomplished all the hosting requirements.
He said the NFOT delegates will be billeted in various hotels here while those participating in the NSPC will be housed in 12 public and 5 private schools in Koronadal City,
The participants are expected to arrive starting on Thursday, among them the entire regional delegation for the NSPC of Region IV-B or the Mimaropa, he said.
“We’re very confident with the preparations since the region already hosted these and other major events before,” Bayocot said.
Koronadal City hosted the NSPC in 1994 and 2008 as well as the Palarong Pambansa in 1996 and 2007. This city hosted NSPC in 2002 and co-hosted the Palaro in 1996.
The NSPC will formally start with a parade of delegations and opening ceremonies that will be held on Monday afternoon (Feb. 22) at the Koronadal City hall grounds.
Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and other top DepEd officials have confirmed to attend the NSPC’s opening rites. Television anchor Kara David of GMA 7 network will keynote the event.
