ILOILO – To ensure the successful participation of delegates from Iloilo province in the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet in Antique, the Iloilo provincial government has extended P11.4 million in financial assistance to the Schools Division Office (SDO) – Iloilo Province.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias handed over the P11.4-million check Friday last week to officials from the Department of Education (DepEd) – SDO as support for the Iloilo delegation at the WVRAA.
According to SDO data, the Iloilo province delegation consists of 873 members, including 548 athletes, 86 coaches, 14 assistant coaches, and 37 chaperones.
In addition to the financial aid, the provincial government, through the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) and in coordination with the Health and Nutrition Cluster of DepEd – SDO Iloilo, distributed mosquito nets to delegates attending the WVRAA Meet.
“With the rise in dengue cases across the region, this initiative emphasizes the province’s commitment to athlete safety by ensuring participants have extra protection against mosquito bites,” said an IPHO statement.
Delegates are also advised to take preventive measures such as using mosquito repellents, wearing light-colored long-sleeved clothing, and avoiding mosquito-prone areas during peak biting hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has called on local government units (LGUs) to provide medical support for their athletes, emphasizing that health should remain a top priority alongside athletic excellence.
This initiative is part of the provincial government’s broader health and safety efforts, reaffirming its commitment to the well-being of student-athletes representing the province in regional and national competitions.
WVRAA Meet 2025 officially opened yesterday afternoon, March 2, at the Binirayan Sports Complex in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.
According to data from the DepEd Region 6, almost 5,000 delegates are participating in the WVRAA Meet, including delegations from Aklan (826), Antique (895), Capiz (741), Guimaras (519), Iloilo (873), and Negros Occidental (872)./PN
