Local officials of Puerto Princesa City moved to support youth sports development after elementary volleyball players were initially excluded from the city’s official delegation to the MIMAROPA Regional Athletic Association Meet 2026.
The concern was discussed during a meeting of the City Council Committee on Sports on January 20, chaired by Councilor Karl Dylan Aquino, and attended by the student-athletes, their coaches, and parents. During the meeting, council members agreed to help shoulder additional expenses to allow the young athletes to join the regional competition in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
Aquino said the committee saw the determination of the athletes to compete at a higher level and represent the city.
“Ako at si Konsehal Matthew Mendoza ay magtutulungan para pandagdag sa kanilang mga uniporme upang mabawasan ang kanilang gastusin. May sarili namang inisyatiba ang mga magulang at coach, at kami naman ay nauna nang tumulong kahit hindi na sila humiling,” Aquino told Palawan News.
He said exposure to tougher competitions outside the city is important to the growth of young athletes.
“Nag-initiate na lang kami sa personal naming kapasidad dahil para ito sa mga kabataan ng Puerto Princesa. Mas maganda rin kasi na makalaro sila sa labas upang magkaroon sila ng karanasan at maagang ma-expose sa mas matitinding laban,” he added.
Councilor Epitacio “Jie” Lao Jr. also committed to cover the transportation expenses of 24 individuals, including athletes, coaches, and parents, from Puerto Princesa City to Manila.
“Medyo gumaan na ang loob ng mga magulang at ako na ang sasagot sa pamasahe papuntang Maynila. Tutulungan na lang natin sila sa paghahanap ng pamasahe pabalik. Sa pagkain naman ay wala nang magiging problema at madali na itong gawan ng paraan. May inisyatiba rin ang mga magulang bukod sa tulong namin,” Lao said.
Aquino said the committee also asked the City Department of Education to address the issue in future competitions by finding ways to include all winning athletes, while acknowledging the agency’s limited budget.
“Gusto naman talaga ng DepEd na buong delegasyon ang maisama, pero hindi kaya ng kanilang pondo. Kaya ang resolusyon namin ay sana sa mga susunod na taon ay maisama ang lahat kung may sapat na pondo, o bago pa lang ang City Meet ay malinaw nang ipaalam na hindi lahat ng mananalo ay makakasama para handa ang mga bata at magulang,” Aquino said.
The elementary volleyball teams earlier personally appealed before the City Council after winning the City Meet, hoping to represent Puerto Princesa City at the regional level.
