ILOILO – To boost the performance of its athletes, the Iloilo provincial government has extended a financial assistance of P7.9 million to the Department of Education (DepEd) – Division of Iloilo Province.
This funding is aimed at preparing the Iloilo delegation for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2024, scheduled to be held from July 9 to 16 in Cebu City.
Yesterday morning, July 7, the delegation from Western Visayas, including athletes from Iloilo Province, arrived at their designated billeting area at Guadalupe Elementary School in V. Rama Avenue, Cebu City.
The financial aid for Iloilo athletes was officially handed over on July 5 by Freda Sabanal-Fajardo, Secretary of the Provincial School Board, to the DepEd – Schools Division Office (SDO) – Iloilo Province.
According to Dr. Ernesto F. Servillon Jr., schools division superintendent, the funds will be utilized for training and preparation of the delegates and to cover various expenses during the Meet Proper.
This year, Region 6 is aiming to secure the top rank at Palarong Pambansa, intensifying training across all sports events including arnis, athletics, badminton, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, dance sports, archery, baseball, basketball, chess, football, billiards, boxing, basketball 3×3, futsal, wrestling, wushu, pencak silat, and paragames.
Last year, the region finished second at the Palarong Pambansa held in Marikina City, behind the 16-time overall champion, National Capital Region.
DepEd Region 6 reports that a total of 933 Western Visayas delegates are participating in this year’s Palarong Pambansa. Of these, 601 are athletes, 136 are coaches, assistant coaches, and chaperones, and 196 belong to the management and working committees.
The athlete contingent includes 214 elementary level participants, 346 secondary level, and 41 from Paragames.
SDO-Iloilo has allocated P4,814,750 for training and housing of athletes, coaches, and trainers, covering food, training, and travel allowances. An additional P3,172,200 has been set aside for transportation, food, participation allowances, accommodation, and contingency expenses during the actual event./PN
