CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – Oriental Mindoro is this year’s host to MIMAROPA (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) RAA (Regional Athletic Association) meet which will have its opening ceremony at the Oriental Mindoro Sports Complex in Barangay Santiago, Naujan town on Saturday, May 25.

Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito A. Dolor said that before the formal opening at 4 p.m., all athletes will take part in simultaneous tree planting activity in billeting schools in Naujan which will be led by Department of Education officials and Division Sports Officers in coordination with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Gov. Dolor said the event aims to foster among all the delegates love for environment and care for the Mother Earth.

The local disaster risk reduction and management office of Naujan has advised all commuters to take alternate route along Naujan Road, from Liwasang Bonifacio as the road leading to the sports complex will be temporarily closed on May 25 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. to give way to a parade and opening rites.

All the participating delegates from the region’s five provinces are billeted in different schools in Naujan.

In Calapan City, 303 athletes bound to the said regional athletic meet received their training allowance and sports kits from City Mayor Malou F. Morillo who emphasized the importance of local government’s support to bring out the best and help them excel in sports competitions.

Mayor Morillo gave the athletes P2,010 each including uniforms, tumblers, lunch boxes and personal hygiene kits as she reiterated her administration’s thrust of supporting and producing first-rate athletes who will see action in the regional sports meet.

According to Mayor Morillo, the training allowance was taken from the Special Education Fund of the city government with additional support from the Department of Education Schools Division of Calapan City.

Morillo said she has firm belief on the ability and talent of Calapan athletes who will be joined in the said regional sports meet by 53 coaches, 57 technical officials and 60 delegates and trainers.

On Monday, May 20, Morillo also gave recognition and financial incentives to three athletes, Kyle Andrei Jacob, who landed top 8 finalist in 400-meter event and Camille Joy Samalea, top 8 finalist in 100-meter dash in the recent provincial sports meet and Ghenica Samalea, second place in 3000 under 18 category in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships 2024 held at Philsports, Pasig City on May 8.