Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Wednesday, March 25, led the distribution of cash incentives to student-athletes who brought honor to Negros Occidental in the recently-concluded Negros Island Region Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM) held at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
Expressing his pride in the performance of the Negrense delegation, Lacson said they outperformed other delegates in the first-ever NIRAAM.
A gold medal is equivalent to P1,500; silver, P1,000; and bronze, P800.
Lacson said some athletes, especially those in swimming, received higher payouts after earning medals in multiple events.
He also recognized the support of other school divisions that represented the provincial delegation, as highly-urbanized Bacolod City, cities of Silay and Kabankalan, did not join the provincial delegation being autonomous divisions.
The Negros Occidental provincial government is sending 266 athletes during the 2026 Palarong Pambansa to be held in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao on May 24 to 31.
Lacson emphasized his commitment to a merit-based system for advancing in competitions.
“I believe that athletes should reach the regional level only after winning at the provincial level. It should be step by step — from area meet to provincial meet, then regional, and eventually national,” the governor said. | GB
