ALL hands will be on deck in Apayao as host of this year’s staging of the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association is set from April 15 to 19.
Preparation for largest sports meet in the region gets underway as the Department of Education in the Cordillera have allotted P3 million for the weeklong event while the province will earmark at least P10 million.
DepEd-CAR regional director Estella Carino, during a media briefing in Luna, Apayao said bulk of the P3 million will be used to purchase sports equipment and training of officiating officials before the competition.
Lawyer Edmar Pascua meanwhile said the province has already prepared the P10 million budget to augment’ DepEd’s fund.
“We are confident of a successful hosting and as of now, all playing venues are being prepared. The province is willing to add additional fund kung kulang yung P10 million,” Pascua said.
Pascua added Apayao’s local government, sports organizations, and other volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure the event’s success while venues are being spruced up, accommodations arranged, and logistical arrangements are being fine-tuned to provide athletes and spectators with a seamless experience.
Apayao will be hosting the weeklong sports meet for the third time since 2013.
Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. has earlier taken pride in Apayao’s outstanding performance during CARAA 2023 in Baguio City, securing a second-place finish in the regional meet, its highest since becoming a full pledge province 28 years ago.
Close to 8000 delegates from defending champion Baguio, Abra, host Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt Province and Tabuk City will converge in the province for the competition that will also serve as a platform for promoting sports development and fostering unity among the Cordilleran youth.
Acknowledging CARAA’s multifaceted impact in promoting sports excellence, camaraderie, and instilling values of discipline and teamwork among the youth, Bulut emphasized the essential role of the event in advancing sports in the educational sector.
The governor further underscored the potential positive impact of hosting CARAA 2024 on the province’s tourism industry, anticipating that the convergence of athletes from various provinces would showcase Apayao’s unique culture, natural beauty, and hospitality.
Bulut added this exposure is expected to attract visitors and tourists that will ultimately contribute to the economic growth of local communities. Roderick Osis
