By: Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – More or less 6,000 participants from five municipalities and one city of the 5th District gathered at the municipality of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental as the town hosted the 4-day Area-V Athletic Meet of the Department of Education (DepEd) .
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the opening ceremonies who congratulated town Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo for hosting a series of events which shows that Moises Padilla is already peaceful and is open to visitors.
“Be a student first before being an athlete,” Lacson said in his speech.
He also thanked the local governments for their support to student athletes.
Around 700 athletes and 150 officials comprised each delegation coming from the city of Himamaylan, and the municipalities of Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Isabela, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla.
The hoisting of the national flag was led by Garcia-Yulo and Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor.
“You are all very much welcome in Moises Padilla,” Garcia-Yulo said in her speech.
She also thanked the provincial government and all government officials for their support to the Area V Meet even as she guaranteed the safety of participants.
The mayor also recognized Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo for helping the town’s proposed projects.
“What my mother would really want is for all of you to discover the potential and the winners in yourselves no matter what the situation is whether it’s sports, education, friendships or anything in life” Nicole Jacinto, daughter of Rep. Arroyo.
Also present in the opening were Provincial Board Members Agustin “Tinto” Bascon & Rita Gatuslao, Himamaylan Mayor Raymond Tongson, and Binalbagan Vice Mayor Samuel Gabaran.
