CASH INCENTIVES. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (2nd from left) and Department of Education Schools Division Superintendent Anthony Liobet with track and field standouts Mico Villaran (right) and Airex Gabriel Villanueva (2nd from right), who were among the recipients of cash incentives given by the provincial government to medalists in the recently-held Palarong Pambansa, during the distribution rites held at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 24, 2023). Negrense athletes took home a total of 106 gold, 31 silver and 54 bronze medals. (Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government has released cash incentives amounting to PHP677,000 to medalists from the province and this capital city who competed in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa held on July 30 to Aug. 5 in Marikina City.
“We did contribute significantly to the total medal haul. We all know that Western Visayas ended up second,” said Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who led the distribution of the rewards at the Provincial Capitol here Thursday afternoon in the presence of Department of Education-Negros Occidental Schools Division Superintendent Anthony Liobet.
Negrense athletes took home a total of 106 gold, 31 silver and 54 bronze medals.
Western Visayas (Region 6), which finished second overall behind National Capital Region (NCR), improved on its third-place performances from 2017 to 2019.
The cash incentives included PHP5,000 for gold medal; PHP3,000, silver medal; and PHP1,000 for bronze medalists.
Coaches and trainers also received cash incentives totaling PHP85,000.
Among the athlete-recipients were track and field standouts Mico Villaran and Airex Gabriel Villanueva, both from Romanito P. Maravilla Sr. National High School in this city, who received an additional PHP5,000 for being the most bemedalled athlete and record-breaker in the secondary level.
Trackster Villaran pocketed four gold medals and a silver, while thrower Villanueva bagged two gold medals.
Villanueva threw the discus at 42.83 meters to erase the 2018 record of 42.67 meters set by Ed Deliña of Central Luzon.
The secondary volleyball girls' team from Bacolod Tay Tung High School, who defeated defending champions NCR in a come-from-behind fashion, also came to receive their cash incentives. (PNA)
