By: Romeo Braceros Jr.

To ensure the academic calendar of the Department of Education will not be affected, the Philippine Sports Commission has decided to set the Batang Pinoy national finals in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, from December 12-17.

The PSC initially set the vital sports grassroots program of the PSC on December 4–10.

But Deped requested PSC to transfer it to a later date to avoid class disruption, and the government sports agency agreed and set the new date for the highly anticipated event.

Earlier, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a two-page circular dated August 25 calling on local government units in the country to support the Batang Pinoy 2022 National Championships fully.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said Batang Pinoy (National Youth Games) is a vital sports grassroots program of the Philippine Sports Commission that needs the nation's full support.

On August 25-26, PSC Batang Pinoy national secretariat members conducted a coordination meeting with the host LGU and an ocular inspection of the sports venues and billeting schools for the Batang Pinoy 2022 National Championships.

The gesture was in preparation for Batang Pinoy 2022.

A total of 17 sports will be conducted in virtual and face-to-face competitions.

Some of the top athletes in the country are products of BP, such as Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Hidilyn Diaz of Zamboanga City and Tokyo Olympics boxing silver medallist Nesthy Petecio of Sta. Cruaz, Davao del Sur and Carlo Paalam of Cagayan de Oro City.