Concerns have been raised about the welfare of athletes participating in the Central
Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet while other string of
controversies had erupted at the games held in Carcar City, Cebu.
Independent postings on social media accounts bared that some parents of child
athletes from Garcia and Valencia complained that their children were unfairly replaced
despite qualifying as top performers in a performance trial held in Bohol.
According to the parents, the coach allegedly made last-minute decision to replace the
children with other athletes who were “close to their hearts” or “had influential parents.”
The result of the replacement was rather dismal, according to reports.
Sources said the children were allegedly made to sign that they received uniforms and
personal items such as soap and shampoo, but these items were not complete or not
received at all.
The Department of Education (DEPED) in Bohol and the Bohol Youth in the Provincial
Government of Bohol, under John Maraguinot, have been urged to investigate the
controversy.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) has confirmed that there
are many complaints and unrest in the recently concluded CVIRAA involving athlete
delegations from the Department of Education (DepEd) Bohol.
According to PYDO, these issues could have been avoided if the DepEd Bohol Sports
in charge had coordination with the provincial office through the PYDO.
However, Capitol officials were allegedly not included in the DepEd meetings prior to
CVIRAA.
In response to the unsavory reports, Maraguinot said PYDO sent their personnel to
CVIRAA to monitor the activities in Carcar.
After the CVIRAA, he said, a meeting will be called by PYDO and the Educational
Development Center along with Deped Bohol in charge of CVIRAA to address the
controversies.
The funds used by the Bohol Delegation to CVIRAA came from the Special Education
Fund of the Provincial Government of Bohol amounting to P16 Million and it was
allegedly downloaded to DepEd Bohol, Maraguinot said.
The CVIRAA is an annual multi-sport event for student-athletes from different schools in
the Central Visayas region. The event aims to promote physical fitness and
sportsmanship among young athletes.
Resilient Athletes
According to Rogelin Degoma, a parent of an athlete representing Tagbilaran City for
lawn tennis girls doubles at CVIRAA meet, the athletes have been facing some
challenges since their arrival last Sunday.
Degoma reported that the usual complaint from others who are used to having
everything in place is that there are not enough toilets and showers for the athletes.
However, she said that the uncomfortable situation was bearable.
She added that she has no qualms about her child experiencing a situation where she
has to scoop water from a bucket to take a bath and wait her turn to use the toilet and
shower.
“It’s good for her to experience this kind of situation. There are easy and difficult
situations in life,” Degoma said in an FB comment.
Degoma revealed that the athletes slept on the floor because there were no beds in the
classrooms, but there were mats available.
As for food, she said they ate on time and “their food is just right.”
“No one has gotten sick because there is a coach who takes care of the athletes. The
athletes’ health and safety are monitored. Children cannot leave without a pass and
consent from the coach that is signed. If a parent picks up a child, there is also a waiver
to sign,” she narrated.
The athletes were given an allowance by the city of Tagbilaran.
The coaches took care of the athletes and Mayor Jane Yap personally visited them,
Degoma said.
As for Degoma’s foster child representing Province of Bohol in lawn tennis boys singles,
the province allegedly didn’t give them (athletes) even a single peso allowance.
Athletes’ Welfare
Regino Garcia Loberternos, who has a grandchild representing the Division of Bohol in
tennis, shared his observations with broadcast journalist Ted Ayeng.
“One thing I observed because I have a grandchild who is a tennis player in elementary
school representing the Division of Bohol, I saw them lying on the cement floor, but they
had a mat,” said Loberternos in Bisaya in an FB comment.
He confirmed that athletes in Tagbilaran City were well taken care of, with City Mayor
Jane Yap personally visiting them and providing Gatorade drinks and cartoons of
mineral water, in addition to cash allowances.
RESULTS
The Niños of the Cebu City Division have once again emerged as the overall champions
in the recently concluded CVIRAA Meet held in Carcar City from April 24-28, 2023.
Cebu City brought home a total of 287 medals, including 110 gold, 93 silver and 84
bronze. They were followed by the Cebu Province and Dumaguete City divisions.
This year’s CVIRAA edition saw 5 schools division in Cebu Province, 3 in Negros
Oriental and 2 from Bohol make it to the top 10.
Winners from each sporting event will represent Region 7 in the upcoming Palarong
Pambansa to be held in Marikina City this midyear.