Calbayog City ready for regional sports meet

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Jan. 26  --The city government here is now on the last phase of preparation for the hosting of this year’s school-based Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet.

The region’s yearly athletic event will be on February 4 to 10, 2018. About 8,000 coaches, assistants, sports officials and athletes are expected to arrive in the city starting January 30.

Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino ordered on Friday a massive clean-up drive in schools, playing venues and the entire community days before the arrival of 12 delegations coming from seven cities and six provinces of the region.

Aquino told Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the local government allocated PHP35 million for the city’s hosting of the regional athletic event. “The sports event is very helpful to boost the economic situation in the city.”

A team composed of the members of the Philippine National Police, health, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Calbayog Public Order and Safety Office will be assigned in every identified billeting schools to ensure the safety of the delegation.

Department of Education (DepEd) city division office chief Raul Agban appealed for the support of city residents in the upcoming activity.

“The hosting is not only under the DepEd and the LGU, but for the entire city. That is why we are asking for the support of everyone to make this event successful,” Agban added.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Revsee Escobedo will be the guest of honor during the opening ceremonies on February 4 while Secretary Leonor Briones is expected to grace the closing program on February 9.

Aside from sports event, the city government has prepared a grandiose activities to entertain athletes and guests.

A four-day Tourism Expo showcasing the tourist destination in very participating city and provinces will be opened on February 5.

The Christ the King College Symphony Orchestra will hold a concert on February 7. A grand EVRAA Street Party after the closing ceremony will be held.

This year’s sports meet theme is “Sports, Culture, and Environment: Bridging the Gap, Shaping the Future.” The last time Calbayog hosted the regional sports event was in 2011.

Calbayog is a first class city in Samar province, with a population of 183,851 in 157 villages. It is the third largest city in terms of land and water areas in the Philippines. (JSA/PNA)