GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) wants to collaborate with the Department of Education (DepEd) to streamline both the Palarong Pambansa and the Batang Pinoy.

Instead of looking at it as two different competitions, PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said they need to pool their resources to ensure young athletes develop to the best of their abilities.

Currently, DepEd handles the Palaro while PSC oversees the Batang Pinoy.

“We need to be partners, we need to be together. The development of kids in sports and education cannot be separated. DepEd is a large organization,” Gregorio said in a press conference last Sunday at the Lagao Gym.

“It’s important that the Batang Pinoy and the Palarong Pambansa do not overlap. It’s not possible in Batang Pinoy to have a 12 to 17-year-old and have the same age group in the Palaro.”

Gregorio suggested having national sports associations (NSAs) oversee the sports in both grassroots tournaments.

“This is so that those running the events are from the PSC and the NSAs. Let’s plant them there to run the logistics,” Gregorio said.

“What’s important is that we are together with DepEd in the achievement of the national athlete development program and national grassroots program.”