The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Provincial Government of Ifugao formally signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Friday, May 12 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, on the conduct of PSC’s Laro ng Lahi sa Ifugao scheduled on May 26-28, 2023 in Lagawe, Ifugao.
The PSC was represented by Women in Sports program oversight Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo and Commissioner Edward Hayco. Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog, C.E. joined them in the simple signing ceremony this morning.
“After a series of coordination meetings in the province, we are happy that our inaugural leg will finally push through. We are thankful to Gov. Dalipog for this partnership,” expressed Commissioner Coo.
“This is the first time, it will definitely help our province, and makakatulong sa ating kabataan in their physical and mental health,” said Gov. Dalipog.
For its inaugural year, PSC’s Laro ng Lahi sa Ifugao will feature five (5) regular sports namely; boxing, wushu, wrestling, weightlifting, and taekwondo, including 9 indigenous games namely, Labba Race, Guyyudan (Tug of war), Kadang-kadang, Dopop di Babuy, Munbayu, Hanggul, Huktingan, Bultung, and Dopap di Manuk
The national sports body aims to support and help the province of Ifugao develop its local sports program. Laro ng Lahi will be open to all interested including out of school youths and members of the indigenous community in the province. The agency also donated some sports equipment to the province ahead of the launching of the program.
Commissioner Coo also believes that the upcoming project will be a good avenue to discover potential national athletes and so to strengthen the national training pool.
“Most of our successful national athletes are homegrown talents from the provinces, with this Laro ng Lahi, we aim to further widen our talent pool specially in female athletes across the country,” shared the lady commissioner.
Also present during the MOA signing were PSC Deputy Executive Director Anna Christine Abellana, Philippine long jump queen and WIS consultant Elma Muros-Posadas, while Aguinaldo Ifugao Mayor Gaspar Chilagan Jr. and Executive Assistant Agustin Calya-en represented the province of Ifugao.