ILOILO — The Iloilo provincial government has released P23.2 million to bankroll its athletes and reinforce Passi City’s hosting of the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet – a major investment in grassroots sports as nearly 7,000 delegates are seeing action in the March 17–22, 2026 regional showdown.
The funding, released on March 12, covers the needs of provincial delegates competing in Passi City, while also extends logistical and financial support to the host city as it prepares for one of the region’s biggest annual sporting events.
“May budget gid kita sa aton Special Education Fund.We have P23.2 million nga ginabulig naton sa mga eskwelahan kag kon sa ano pa nga buloligan dira, that is part of our regular budget every year,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
Defensor clarified that the allocation is separate from the incentives granted to athletes, coaches, trainers, and chaperones who win medals in the WVRAA.
These incentives are provided under Provincial Ordinance No. 2020-217, which grants rewards and recognition to Iloilo provincial athletes, coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, and chaperones who excel in competitions recognized by the Department of Education, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
The WVRAA 2026 Meet is gathering nearly 7,000 athletes, coaches, and officials from across Western Visayas.
This year’s competition features 16 events in the elementary division, including girls’ futsal, and 25 events in the secondary division, with sports such as girls’ football and weightlifting for both male and female athletes./PN