"With your help, the First Mindanao Friendship Games will erase the perception that there is disorder in our province. On the contrary, we will be able to show our fellow Mindanaoansa and the general public how peaceful it is in our place," said Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Dimaporo in yesterday’s PSA forum at the Holiday Inn Manila.
Joining the governor in the forum sponsored by Agfa, Red Bull and McDonald’s were her husband, Rep. Buddy Dimaporo, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Carlos Tuason and Commissioner William Ramirez.
Gov. Dimaporo cited the fact that she was able to host the Central Mindanao Regional Athletic Association sportsfest, where her province emerged as the overall champion, successfully last March to underscore the normal peace and order situation in the area.
Ramirez, a Mindanao native, vouched for the safety of the participants, having visited Lanao del Norte seven times over the past several months.
"Through this event we can truly show that Mindanaoans are generally a peaceful and understanding people who can work together in achieving success for their region," Ramirez said.
Rep. Dimaporo said that the Friendship Games, a priority sports project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is an activity to foster greater understanding between Christians and Muslims, especially in the wake of last Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York.
Gov. Dimaporo disclosed that she had her own daughter studying in Mindanao State University in nearby Marawi City to stress peaceful situation in Lanao.
Awaiting the participants, Ramirez said, is a sprawling 18-hectare sports complex built at a cost of P500 million and which boasts of a Olympic-size swimming pool and a track and field oval that meets international standards. The complex also has a multi-purpose gym.