MARIKINA Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro called for a sustainable national sports program to help young Filipino athletes achieve their full potential.

“Nais natin ng isang national sports program na sustainable at para sa kabataang Pilipino,” the mayor said in his speech during the opening ceremony of Palaro 2023 on Monday, July 31, 2023, which brought together student-athletes from 17 regions.

“Kaya ninanais ng Pambansang Palaro na ito ang batang malakas sa kanyang kaisipan at katawan ay para sa bansang matatag. Batang Malakas, Bansang Matatag!”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio led the opening of the games at the Marikina Sports Center.

Teodoro said the heavy rain in the past few days did not dampen the spirits of delegates, who braved the downpour during the Palaro’s grand parade.

“Ito ay pagkakataon na maglaro nang sama-sama. Isang bansa, isang laro sa Pambansang Palaro. Lahat ay magaling; lahat ay may bahagi; lahat ay may pagtataya sa isa’t isa sa pagpapalakas at pagpapatatag ng ating bansa,” he said.

The Palaro 2023 had the theme “Batang Malakas, Bansang Matatag.”