Among the participating national government agencies were the Philippine National Police (PNP), 101st Infantry Brigade of Philippine Army, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penelogy (BJMP), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Food Authority (NFA), National Statistics Office (NSO) and Department of Education (DepEd).
A number of sports organizations also showed up to support the event. These groups include skydiving, longboard and skating, running and swimming teams, Taebo club, the Dipolog Running Team (DiRT) Inc., Bike Run Triathlon Enthusiasts (BRITE) Dipolog Inc., Dipolog Airsoft Group, Megabulls Basketball Association, Taekwondo Club, Rollians Football Club and many more.
On behalf of Mayor Evelyn T. Uy, Vice Mayor Horacio Velasco formally opened the said activity, encouraging Dipolognons to support the city’s vision of becoming the Sports Events Center of the South by year 2020.
The vice mayor also said that “exercising gives numerous benefits like improving one’s emotional uplifment, and increasing our stamina, energy and endurance.”
Vice Mayor Velasco cited a study that in every 20 youths, only one is engaged in sports or exercising regularly.
“Sporty Dipolog plays a major role in every life, benefiting us, our families and our city,” he stressed.
Rianne Marie P. Miranda, “Sporty Dipolog” focal person, said that no other city in Mindanao is currently aiming to becoming a sports city. Thus, Dipolog is taking the lead in enhancing sports facilities, holding several local and national sports events, and in encouraging its residents to embark on sports and fitness activities.
“We take pride that we have sports facilities and covered courts in schools and barangays. We also have a sports complex owned by our city government and a convention and sports center owned by our provincial government,” said Mayor Evelyn T. Uy’s message as read by Vice Mayor Velasco.
The event was capped by “Hataw Sayaw” led by the Dipolog Taebo Club.
