Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. signed yesterday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the implementation of the provincial government’s expanded sports varsity program.

DepEd Division of Iloilo Superintendent, Dr. Roel Bermejo, and Iloilo Sports Development and Management Office (ISDMO) head, Dr. Janelyn Fundal, joined the MOA signing.

The varsity program covered an initial of 15 recipient schools – 12 in high school and three in elementary. These are the Pototan National Comprehensive High School, Iloilo National High School (NHS), Passi NHS, Pavia NHS, Oton NHS, Bingawan NHS, Dumangas NHS, Guimbal NHS, Lambunao NHS, Leon NHS, Estancia NHS, Igbaras NHS, Leon Central Elementary School, Guimbal Central Elementary School, and San Enrique Central School.

Fundal said that under the program, the provincial government will offer training to athletes and coaches. Recipient schools will be provided with equipment for their preferred sports.

“We have allotted P2.4 million for the purchase of sports equipment such as shuttlecocks and tennis balls. We also conducted virtual seminars for coaches,” she said.

The ICTMO head said they want to continue implementing the sports program in the province amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

She stressed that strict health protocols are observed in the physical conduct of sports activities.

Meanwhile, Defensor said the varsity program was conceptualized to provide additional venue for sports development./WDJ