The P2.6 million allocated by DepEd's Central office for the Central Visayas athletes is not enough for the whole CVIRAA delegation.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña already doled out P600,000 for the boat fare of the P500-member delegation. The allowed them the use of Kaohsiung buses to transport the athletes to the pier.
Danao Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano III, accordingly, have also pledged support and so has boxing patron Antonio L. Aldeguer.
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and other governors, congressmen as well as the different mayors under Region-VII and some private entities are also expected to give financial support.
The Freeman learned from DepEd-VII Physical Education School Sports chief Vivian Ginete that they need four to five million pesos for the multi-sporting event.
The budget covers the uniform of the athletes, shoes for the tracksters and booters, among others, plus equipment and supplies, toiletries, food allowance for the week-long competition and transportation expenses to the venues and back to their respective divisions.
"Our regional director (Mordeno) is really hoping for everyone's support. The Palaro is not only about winning medals or the overall crown, it is a culmination of the lower meets and exposure for our athletes and building up of their confidence," Ginete said.
The Central Visayas squad delegates will converge at the Cebu City Sports Center today and will be leaving Cebu tomorrow.
Before the departure will be the final briefing still at the CCSC.
The CVIRAA squad will be going to Naga by boat via Palacio Shipping Lines to Sorsogon and an estimated four-hour travel from Bulan, Sorsogon to Naga City.