Bacolod backs Palaro athletes with PHP 17.3M aid

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city government has allocated PHP 17.3 million in financial assistance for the 286-member delegation that will represent Bacolod in this year’s Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur from May 24 to 31.

A send-off ceremony for the student-athletes, coaches, trainers, and chaperones was recently held at the Bacolod City Government Center.

Mayor Greg Gasataya and Dennis Develos, schools division superintendent of the Department of Education-Bacolod, recently signed a memorandum of agreement stating that the city government will shoulder the delegation’s expenses, including transportation, accommodation, sports shoes, and uniforms.

A total of 188 athletes, together with coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, and chaperones, also received PHP 4,000 as playing allowance, PHP 6,000 as food allowance, and PHP 9,000 as training allowance.

“We consider this an investment in the future of our youth,” Gasataya said, expressing hope that the next Olympian will come from the “City of Smiles.”

Develos said the strong support from the city government is expected to inspire the athletes to perform better and aim for more gold medals in the national competition.

More than 600 student-athletes from the Negros Island Region, including Siquijor, are expected to compete in the national sporting event in Agusan del Sur.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education-Negros Island Region also sent off “The Visayan Vipers” for the 66th Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur on Sunday and Monday.

The Palarong Pambansa is the country’s largest school-based sports competition, bringing together top student-athletes from different regions.