ALONA C.

UY
Schools Division Superintendent
SDO-City of Mati

Madam:

We are writing to raise a concern regarding the recent City Meet held on March 3-5, 2023,
specifically regarding the elementary volleyball girls’ team from Mati North District. Despite
the new ruling of the winner-take all policy, this team was allowed to play in the finals with a
pool of players from different schools and won the championship to qualify for the Davao
Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA).

During the eliminations, the said team utilized players from only one school, but then
decided to include players from other schools in the finals against Sunbeam Christian
School of Mati, Inc. of Mati Central District. This is a clear violation of the rules and
guidelines set by the Department of Education (DepEd) Memorandum No. 005, s. 2023,
which states that the winner-take-all policy shall be applied for team sports.

As evidence, we would like to highlight the following details:

 In the Proposed Guidelines Per Meet- School Level Competitions, no. 4 item, it is
clearly stipulated that qualifying standards for measurable sports are not applied
at this level of competition. However, the winner-take-all policy shall be applied
for team sports.
 In the same DepEd memorandum, it is reiterated in the Palarong Pambansa
Culminating Competitions that the winner-take-all policy shall be strictly adhered
to in the representation of their respective teams (school sports club).
 In a meeting with Division Sports Officers and Regional Tournament Managers
from February 28 to March 1, Regional Director Allan G. Farnazo reiterated that
the winner-take-all policy must be applied for team sports.
 Mati Division PESS Coordinator Judy Fariolen clarified in the Solidarity Meeting
of the City Meet before the actual games were played that the winner-take-all
policy must be followed for team sports.
 Recently, the team sports entries of Agusan del Sur Division, which includes
basketball and volleyball among others, were reportedly disqualified in the
Regional Meet for failure to follow the winner-take-all policy.

As stakeholders, we firmly believe in the importance of fair play, sportsmanship, and strict
adherence to the Guidelines of the Conduct of Palarong Pambansa 2023. It is crucial that
the best and qualified team is sent to represent SDO-City of Mati in the Davao Region
Athletic Association (DAVRAA) to avoid being disqualified.

We urge for immediate action to be taken to settle this issue before the conduct of the
DAVRAA to save the integrity of SDO Mati City and avoid disqualification in the coming
regional meet this April 2023. Furthermore, we would like to express that the parents of the
volleyball players of Sunbeam Christian School of Mati, Inc are asking for fairness,
transparency, and adherence to the rules of Palarong Pambansa.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We hope for a prompt resolution to ensure that
justice is served, and the values of fair play and sportsmanship are upheld.

Respectfully yours,

Noted: