• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod student-athletes and coaching staff to the inaugural Negros Island Region Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM) on March 1-7, hosted by the highly-urbanized city, received their cash allowance, totaling P9,471,000, during the sendoff ceremony Feb. 25 at the Bacolod City National High School.
The training and conditioning allowance of P10,500 each to 626 student-athletes and 276 coaches and training staff, is aside from the uniforms, shoes, and hoodies turned over the other day to the Bacolod delegates, Mayor Greg Gasataya said in a post.
An extra P2,000 per participant will be released on Sunday, March 1, the first day of the NIRAAM, to boost morale during the games, the city said in a press release.
“We are hopeful that it will inspire the children since financial support is the usual concern (since) not all athletes have the capacity to fund themselves, and some of them use their talent for scholarships,” Gasataya said. “By providing this training allowance, it will boost their morale and help with their needs.”
The city government earlier approved P57.5 million for its hosting of the first NIRAAM, with the parade and opening ceremonies set Sunday afternoon at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan.
Per the memorandum of agreement ratified by the Sangguniang Panlungsod earlier, the city will provide P27 million to the Department of Education Division of Bacolod as financial assistance for the hosting of the 2026 NIRAAM, and P30,595,700 for the participation of the city’s delegates.
Aside from host Bacolod, the NIRAAM will be participated in by delegates from Silay, Kabankalan, the province of Negros Occidental, Canlaon, Bayawan, Tanjay, Bais, Dumaguete, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
Sports events include archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball (3×3/5×5), billiards, boxing, cheerdance, chess, dancesport, football, futsal, gymnastics, goal ball, bocce, para-athletics, para-swimming, pencak silat, pickleball, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.
Gasataya said in a city press release that a committee has been formed to manage all aspects of the meet, including peace and order, security, billeting, and transportation.
“We are appealing to the public and business owners, from the transport sector, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses to extend help and hospitality to all the visitors who will be joining us for the NIRAAM 2026,” he added. | CGC
