SECURITY ASSURED

LINGAYEN-Tight security measures are in place when the Ilocos Region Athletic Association (IRA) Meet opens today at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here, with some 6,000 athletes, coaches and officials of the Department of Education participating.

Governor Amado Espino Jr. has ordered tight security measures and adequate medical services for the athletes for the whole duration of the meet.

Seeing action in the games are athletes from Pangasinan I and II, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte as well as the cities of Dagupan, San Carlos, Urdaneta, Alaminos, San Fernando, Candon, Vigan and Laoag.

They will be competing for medals in boxing, basketball, badminton, softball, football, baseball, volleyball, gymnastics, athletics, chess, lawn tennis, table tennis, archery, arnis, sepak/takreaw and swimming.

Pangasinan I is  school division  hosting the six-day meet, with the theme “Sports: Catalyst for Golden Values and  Springboard for Peace, Unity, Economic Growth and Development in the Global Community”.

A composite team led by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), the Philippine National Police provincial force, Provincial Health Office  and Water and Search Rescue (WASAR) had been formed to ensure the safety of delegates.

“Our main concern here is not only limited to the safety of the 6,000 participating delegates but also of spectators who willbe watching the entire IRAA event,” said Pat Orduna, a PDCC official.

Supt. Harris Fama, chief of operations of the Pangasinan PNP, said the over-all security coverage and safety services by the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office during the IRAA 2008 shall be accorded tothe participating delegates, organizers, visitors  and the whole public.

The 2008 IRAA will be a virtual dry run for the hosting of the bigger Palarong Pambansa slated here next year.

It was in 1995 that the first Palarong Pambansa was hosted by Pangasinan.—LM

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments