by Sheila Covarrubias
ZAMBOANGA CITY, 13 March. (PIA 9) - -Aside from personally leading the delegation, Mayor Celso Lobregat has ordered an increase in the city’s counterpart in granting allowances to athletes representing Zamboanga in the 2012 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) Meet.
From P300, the mayor has directed a 50% increase in allowances to the athletes in addition to the Department of Education’s counterpart of P1,750 per athlete.
Mayor Lobregat made the announcement before the athletes, coaches and trainers Sunday at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU), a few hours before the kickoff ceremony for the 2012 ZPRAA in Dapitan City.
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| Mayor Celso Lobregat, District II Congressman Erbie Fabian and members of the City Council Sunday show strong support to local athletes as they join the 500-strong Zamboanga City delegation during the parade of athletes kicking off the week-long 2012 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association Meet (ZPRAA) at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University grandstand in Dapitan City. BENJIE BARREDO |
The mayor, together with District II Congressman Erbie Fabian and Councilors Rudy Lim, Myra Paz Abubakar, Abdurahman Nuno, Lilia Nuno, Percival Ramos, Nonong Guingona, Rogelio Valesco Jr., Jaime Cabato, Luis Biel III, Mike Alavar, Rey Candido and VP Elago led the city government delegation to Dapitan over the weekend to show all out support to the 508-man contingent of the Zamboanga athletic delegation to this year’s ZPRAA being held here in Dapitan City from March 11-17.
The mayor also brought along City Accountant Sylvia Binarao and City Auditor Ludy Lirio to personally administer the distribution of the allowances to the athletes.
The city government is shouldering the athletes’ expenses for food, uniform and transportation. The city has also deployed government trucks and a water tank to the Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU), the billeting area of the Zamboanga delegation to ferry the athletes to and from the playing venues and to provide the water needs in cases of water shortage.
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| Mayor Celso Lobregat announces more perks for Zamboanga athletes joining the 2012 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) Meet at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University grounds, a few hours before the meet kicked off with a parade and program at the school's grandstand. BENJIE BARREDO |
As this developed, OIC City Schools Superintendent Pedro Melchor Natividad thanked Mayor Lobregat and the City Council and the entire city government for the huge support being given to the Zamboanga delegation to the ZPRAA.
It was the first time that the city’s mayor is personally heading the delegation during opening rites of the ZPRAA.
He urged the athletes to do the best they can to bring home the title, citing the many support being given by the city government.
The city government is not only providing us moral support but financial support—from extension items to school buildings, allowance for teachers and now increased allowances for athletes, Natividad stressed.
The opening ceremonies held Sunday, reeled off with the parade of participating delegations that included the cities of Zamboanga, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian and host city Dapitan and the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Zamboanga del Norte 3rd District Cong. Cesar Jalosjos, who was the invited guest of honor and speaker during the opening ceremony was represented by his nephew, 1st District Congressman Sed Frederick Jalosjos.
Also present during the opening rites held at the JRMSU grandstand were Dapitan City Mayor Dominador Jalosjos, Zamboanga del Norte Governor Rolando Yebes, Malangas Municipal Mayor Alfredo Atilano, DEPED-9 director Walter Albos, former congressman Romeo Jalosjos and many others.
The opening rite was capped by a fireworks display. (JPA/ SC/CIO/PIA- ZBST)
