Iloilo ready to serve as host –Provincial School Board

By Paulo Loreto Lim

After the Iloilo Provincial Board recently gave the go-ahead for Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Iloilo, a total P22.7 million will be cleared for release in order to fund the upcoming 2018 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) meet, according to Iloilo Provincial School Board Secretary Jerry Bionat.

More than half of the allotment, P16.9 million, is earmarked for Iloilo athletes, funding for their uniforms, food, and training.

Defensor earlier pointed out, Capiz was supposed to host the event but ongoing facility developments barred the province from serving as a viable venue.

The regional competition, scheduled to take place from February 18 to 23, is expected to host 24 different sporting events, including volleyball, which was the focus of attention recently after Bacolod Tay Tung High School (BTTHS) Vice President for Sports Jose Montalbo voiced concern over the venue being outdoors.

“This is not appropriate because, for sure, it will affect the safety of our student-athletes,” he said in a letter to DepEd-Negros Occidental Sports Coordinator Romeo Sison. “The ground outdoors is not conducive for playing volleyball because of its rough or very slippery surface.”/PLL, WDJ