• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday led the distribution of cash incentives to athletes who brought honor to Negros Occidental during the recently-concluded Negros Island Region Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM) held at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
Expressing his pride in the performance of the Negros Occidental delegation athletes, Lacson said they outperformed other delegates in the first-ever NIRAAM.
Every gold medal is equivalent to P1,500, silver P1,000 and P800 for bronze.
Lacson said some athletes, especially those in swimming, received higher payouts after earning medals in multiple events.
He also recognized the support of other school divisions that represented the provincial delegation, as highly-urbanized Bacolod City, cities of Silay and Kabankalan, did not join the provincial delegation as they are autonomous.
The Negros Occidental provincial government is sending 266 athletes during the 2026 Palarong Pambansa to be held in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao, scheduled from May 24 to 31. Lacson emphasized his commitment to a merit-based system for advancing in competitions. “I believe that athletes should reach the regional level only after winning at the provincial level. It should be step by step — from area meet to provincial meet, then regional, and eventually national,” the governor said.*
