SPORTS: Palaro-bound DAVRAA delegation faces budgetary constraints

The Davao Region delegation bound forPalarong Pambansa in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan is facing"budgetary constraints, " reports said.

But Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) officials are nowtaking measures and finding solutions to the financial woes, accordingto Dr. Fidel Japos, head of the Department of Education's (DepEd) TaskForce on School Sports.

"We are now taking measures for that (problem)," said Japos. "One ofthat is to trim down the number of the technical officials in thedelegation."

At the moment, Japos said, the DAVRAA delegation is composed of 484delegates, 85 of which are "technical officials" taking care of threecommittees -- kitchen, transportation and communication.

"We cannot cut the number of athletes and coaches," he said, noting that some of the technical officials may have to go.

Apart from the 85 technical officials, there are 339 athletes and 53coaches from the Davao Region delegation attending the nationalmulti-sport events for elementary and secondary students on April21-26.

He said they are also negotiating with airline companies for a cheapercharter flight to Palawan since "we have found out that traveling byboat is much more expensive."

Japos estimated that the DAVRAA participation would cost P8 to P10million, including transportation, food, supplies, uniforms andallowances.

Explaining where the funding would come from, Japos said the localgovernment division offices will provide P150,000 each and the centraloffice will give P4 million.

"The DepEd regional office will also give its counterpart, " he said.DepEd-XI has nine division offices, including the cities of Davao,Digos, Tagum, Panabo and Island Garden City of Samal and the provincesof Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and CompostelaValley.

During his courtesy visit to DepEd-XI regional director SusannaTeressa Estigoy, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William"Butch" Ramirez has reportedly vowed "to provide help."

Ramirez said he will also hand out equipments that would be used for the training of the Davao Region athletes beginning on March 23 toApril 15 in the City of Mati in Davao Oriental.

"We will also send lecturers there to conduct leadership training andcoaches' education training," said Ramirez. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)