PALARONG PAMBANSA. Department of Education Western Visayas Regional Director Ramir Uytico (fourth from left) receives the second place trophy from Vice President Sara Duterte (third from left) during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City. This year, the region is aiming for the gold, said DepEd information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. in an interview on Monday (July 1, 2024). (File photo courtesy of Ramir Uytico FB page)
ILOILO CITY – Western Visayas is targeting to bring home this year’s Palarong Pambansa crown after a second-place finish during the 2023 national sports event.
The region with its 933-strong delegation is also ready to defend three new records – two in swimming and one in athletics, Department of Education Western Visayas information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. said in an interview on Monday.
“This is a big challenge for us because we ranked number two last year and third in the preceding year. We were one notch higher,” he said.
In the 2023 Palarong Pambansa, Western Visayas set two regional records, including in the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke in swimming and discus throwing in athletics, all in secondary boys.
The region bagged 60 golds, 45 silver, and 44 bronze medals, clinching the second post.
“But you know this might be the last Palarong Pambansa with Negros Occidental team. We want to make sure that this year, we get the championship crown. Since we are the home of the champions, we really aim for the gold,” Escullar added.
Negros Occidental contributed roughly 40 percent to 50 percent of the total medal count in 2023.
“Although we are not short of potential because we have many of the best athletes from Panay and Guimaras, we will do our best to hone them once athletes coming from the Negros Island Region will separate,” Escullar said.
The delegation from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras will sail to Cebu evening of Friday, while the Negros Occidental team will travel in the morning of Sunday in time for the opening ceremony on July 9. (PNA)
