BORONGAN CITY – Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda here said that their hosting of the fourth leg of the NextGen Pilipinas Surfing National Tour helped raise the popularity of this city as a surfing site and gave pride to the people.
AGDA (FB)
"The impact of this surfing competition in Borongan is very laudable, very important for our city because nalalagay na tayo sa mapa ng mga surfers in the country and, hopefully, we will be recognized also internationally," he said during the opening ceremony on November 24.
Agda added that the event benefits not only surfers, youth, and contestants but also the whole community of Borongan and the entire province of Eastern Samar.
"The pride that it brings to Borongan and the province of Eastern Samar is a big thing for us Boronganon. I hope we continue supporting this through and through," he noted.
Surf City chairman Rupert Ambil said the event highlights not just the sport but also the opportunities it creates for the whole community of Borongan as there is a trade fair for local microentrepreneurs held simultaneously with the tournament in the same venue.
"It's not just about surfing anymore. It's a whole community approach to creating opportunities not just for surfers but for everyone. Everyone is pitching in," Ambil said.
Teams from Northern Samar, Palawan, Sorsogon, Surigao del Norte, Zambales, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Ilocos Sur, Leyte, and La Union as well as sole participants from Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental joined this year's competition.