NCAA okays P100,000 support to Batanes victims

Games today (Cuneta Astrodome)

2 p.m. – Letran vs San Beda

4 p.m. – Mapua vs Arellano

MANILA, Philippines — The NCAA Management Committee (MANCOM) has approved a cash donation of P100,000 to Batanes in the aftermath of the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that devastated the province and its people recently.

NCAA MANCOM chairman Peter Cayco said the donation is in line with the league’s advocacy, and that the financial assistance will be turned over to Batanes provincial officials led by its governor Marilou Cayco today during halftime of the Letran-San Beda encounter at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Barring continuous weather disturbance, NCAA play resumes today with the Knights and the Lions clashing at 2 p.m., and the Mapua Cardinals and the Arellano Chiefs colliding at 4 p.m.

“What we are doing is part of the NCAA advocacy. The oldest collegiate tournament in the country, as an institution, has helped our fellow Filipinos in need, especially those affected by calamities,” said Cayco.

“The other member schools have already done their part, and this time, as one family, the NCAA is extending its assistance to help Batanes,” added Cayco.

Letran’s MANCOM representative Fr. Vic Calvo made the proposal during the last MANCOM meeting hosted by Paul Supan during the NCAA “On Tour” game at the JRU gym.

Batanes suffered damages on houses and historical structures, including the old Santa Maria de Mayan Church in Itbayat. The earthquake resulted to nine fatalities, with 911 families, or 2,963 individuals affected by the disaster. The province suffered an estimated damage amounting to P292 million.

In the past, the league has extended support to calamities, like the victims of typhoons Yolanda and Ondoy. It also provided help to basketball legend Samboy Lim, a former Letran Knight.