‘Kas Ama ti probinsiya, I take full responsibility…Blaming each other will not help…pagtitinulungan tayo ti dapat improv-en tayo’ - Gov. Edduba

Tabuk City, Kalinga – After the 2025 CARAA Meet, Governor James Edduba urged iKalingas to avoid pointing fingers as to why Kalinga Province ranked last in the regional sporting events saying he takes full responsibility of the result.

“I was with our delegation. Napan tayo kinadwaan isuda. We provided support, but we know our best is not yet enough,” said Edduba in an interview, adding that “ Awan pay lang iti well-crafted nga sports program tayo, unlike other provinces. Maysa pay taking players from various municipalities for training is a challenge, isu nga kit-kitaen ti posibilidad nga each municipality can focus on its own strength tapno mas concentrated can targeted iti provision of support and training.”

“It takes time met iti improvement. Isu nga agtitinnulong tayo koma nga tutukan… one step at a time, one game after the other. Nu agkakadwa tayo nga mangiyaramid dagitoy ket adda pagbalinan na ti sports standing ti Kalinga,” said Edduba.

Kalinga delegation hauled a total of 4 gold, 25 silver, and 44 bronze medals at the said regional sporting event, placing last among eight participating provinces and cities.

Following the result, Governor James Edduba and the Provincial Sports Council convened during the Kapehan meeting on Monday, March 3. The meeting reviewed the athletes’ performance to address the areas that need the most attention in order to boost the province's competitiveness in future sports events.

Among those tackled during the gathering are the upgrading of sports facilities and focusing on events where Kalinga has the advantage and those sports which have potential to bring home medals.

Specific sports that the officials will work on strengthening include swimming, athletics (throwing and running), archery, dance sports, taekwondo, pencak silat, wrestling, wushu, and arnis. These sports are where the athletes exhibit a minimum level of competitiveness.

Edduba’s appeal for collaboration

Edduba, during his talk to the council, said he takes complete responsibility for the province's performance in the recently concluded CARAA Meet, while appealing and encouraging everyone to refrain from casting blame to one another.

He stressed that the most effective path ahead is through solidarity and joint efforts.  "I take full responsibility for our rank and performance. If this is how we performed, then I am sorry. But blaming each other will not help. The best way forward is pagtitinnulungan tayo. Ma-discuss nu anya improve-en tayo, dagiyay dapat tayo aramiden. Dagiyay kamali nu anya iti dapat ma-correct," said Edduba as quoted by the PIA- Kalinga.

The governor's appeal for collaboration and teamwork aligned with the essential modifications needed to enhance the province's position in upcoming sports events.