R1AA 2017 : A Prelude to the Palarong Pambansa 2018?

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur (PGIS) has pledged an all-out support for the conduct of next year’s Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) meet.

Marius Cabudol, representative of Gov. Ryan Luis V. Singson, relayed the Chief Executive’s willingness to provide the much-needed equipment and facilities including area security, during the R1AA Meet Planning Conference held at the Vigan City Convention Center on November 3, 2016. The meeting was attended by Schools Division Superintendents (SDS), Education Program Supervisors (EPS) in-charge of sports, and Heads of Units and Divisions of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 1 led by Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Bettina D. Aquino.

Aimed to ensure the successful implementation of the sports event, the participants presented to ARD Aquino, presiding officer,  the need of convenient and accessible playing venues and billeting quarters; medical assistance and security of the players; light, water, and clean comfort rooms; and smooth flow of traffic to and from the playing venues.

Cabudol ensured that the PGIS will coordinate with the province’s Local Chief Executives, Philippine National Police (PNP), and volunteer organizations, to guarantee the safety of every delegation as well as to avoid possible traffic congestions.

The thorough preparation is in line with the plan of the PGIS to bid for the Palarong Pambansa in 2018. The R1AA will be a prelude of the Palaro, if Ilocos Sur will be given the chance to be the place of the historic sports event.

The City Schools Divisions of Vigan and Candon have pledged closer ties with the Ilocos Sur Schools Division (ISSD) – host of next year’s R1AA, to help in the preparation.

The sports events include Arnis, Athletics, Basketball, Baseball, Billiard, Boxing, Chess, Football, Sepak Takraw, Taekwondo, Table tennis, Wushu, Wrestling, Futsal, and special games for special children.