Balbalan, Kalinga – The overall result of 2023 Kalinga Provincial Athletic Meet held in Rizal from April 14 to 16, 2023 is a testament that with strong support system, a team triumphs.
This is according to Balbalan Mayor Almar Malannag who, in an interview, shared that the local government unit at first struggled to provide enough budget for the provincial-wide athletic tilt since they were not informed beforehand that the event will push through.
“Idi fiesta mi (Manchatchatong Festival), han da inbaga nga adda provincial meet ken binmaba ti budget mi amin nga LGUs tatta nga 2023 su ti inaramid mi di adda provincial meet en, namin-anu kami nga nagmi-meet kadagitoy DepEd (Department of Education) ti Balbalan. Uray siak nga mayor, inananusak nga napan nagsolicit,” the mayor said.
Initially, the LGU only had P200,000 fund for the Provincial Athletic Meet.
Malannag himself asked assistance from the provincial government led by Governor James Edduba which provided P100,000. Another P140,000 was taken from development fund of the Local School Board.
The effort of the mayor and his constituents did not go unnoticed among the players which is why they gave their best shot to clinch the overall champion award with 63 gold, 44 silver, and 30 bronze medals.
“Kaadwan piman ti individual event like swimming, taekwondo, boxing ken track and field, bassit ti preparation da ngem nakitan sa dagitoy DepEd ti Balbalan ken dagituy studyante nga dakami nga LGU, han mi nga baybay-an isuda. Full support kami, kasla dagituy inararamid mi panggep ti fund da sunga han da met pinabainan ti LGU Balbalan,” stated Malannag.
The incentive award awaiting for the winning players likewise added to the drive of the athletes during the sports competition. It was the mayor who passed the ordinance, giving deserving athletes artists cash incentive when he was yet a councilor.
Malannag further assured his support to the yBalbalan athletes who will be joining the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Games slated for April 29 to May 1 in Baguio City.
“Kadagiay mapan idiay CARAA, uray nu hawak ti province dakayo, ibagak nga mangipatuludak iti maysa nga lugan para iti Balbalan tapnu adda ti contact point tapnu hankayo maiyaw-awan idiay Baguio kunak kadakuada,” he added.
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