Western Visayas is setting its sights on clinching the overall championship and defending two national records as its delegation heads to the 2024 Palarong Pambansa, set for May 24 to June 1 in Ilocos Norte.

Hernani Escullar Jr., spokesperson for the Department of Education in Western Visayas (DepEd-6), said the region is determined to improve on its third-place finish in 2024, a notch lower compared with its second-place finish in 2024.

“This year marks a unique participation for us, as we still have athletes from Negros Occidental included in the delegation. Beginning next year, they will form part of the new Negros Island Region [NIR] and compete separately,” Escullar explained.

The Western Visayas delegation has 608 athletes, 88 coaches, 24 assistant coaches, 40 chaperones, seven members of the management committee, 43 oversight members, and 195 members of the technical working group.

“We have two record holders in swimming and javelin throw last year. We hope to add more,” he said.

The region set a new record for the 4×50 meters freestyle relay for secondary girls.

However, only two of the four athletes last year will be joining this 2025, namely Juliana Dejilla from St. La Salle, Bacolod City, and Julia Sohlen Orada from Pavia National High School in Iloilo.

Charles Daniel Turla from Gines Quinolpan Elementary School in Iloilo also made a new record for javelin throw at the elementary level.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod Tay Tung High School will again try to defend its championship crown for volleyball secondary girls. The school has clinched the title since 2023.

The delegation left lloilo on May 17 and arrived at the San Nicolas National High School, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, their billeting venue on May 19. (PNA)