• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental has allotted P8 million for athletes representing Western Visayas in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City on July 29.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that the budget includes transportation, food, and other needs during the competitions.
Romeo Sison Jr., sports coordinator of the Department of Education – Division of Negros Occidental, said that the different local government units that have representative athletes also gave financial assistance.
A total of 190 athletes from Negros Occidental are part of the 800-strong Western Visayas delegation.
The governor, however said he will not attend the opening ceremonies of the school-based sporting event.
Regarding the decision of the DepEd on the host of the 2024 games, Lacson said he will just wait for it.
Negros Occidental has put in a bid to host the sporting event next year.
The 2023 Palarong Pambansa will formally open on August 1 at the Marikina Sports Complex.*
