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EL NIDO, Palawan — A grassroots sports initiative in Palawan has received support from the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. following a recent sports festival held in the province.
Organizers said the assistance helped strengthen ongoing efforts to develop young athletes, many of whom came from disadvantaged communities.
Batang Atleta founder and chair James Lagan said the financial and livelihood support enabled the group to pursue its goal of improving the skills of its athletes.
He also said agency endorsements played a key role in securing funding and implementing the sports festival earlier this month.
The five-day event, held from May 1 to 5, featured beach volleyball, chess, mixed martial arts, and a dragon boat exhibition along the shoreline of Barangay Corong-Corong.
Organizers said the program also drew both local and foreign visitors, adding to activity in the area.
PCUP Commissioner Reynaldo Galupo said the initiative was designed to support young athletes from urban poor communities and connect them with government assistance programs.
He added that some families of participating athletes were included in a livelihood assistance program coordinated with the Department of Labor and Employment, covering beneficiaries from El Nido, Taytay, and a local fisherfolk group.
