■ Ofelia C. Empian
Apayao is ready to host this year’s Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (Caraa) Meet on April 15 to 19 at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex in Luna.
Apayao Provincial Administrator Edmar Pascua, during the Feb. 23 press conference, said the province has allotted P10 million as initial budget for the Caraa Meet.
Pascua said the province is also ready to augment the budget in case it would be needed during the event that gathers the different schools’ division offices from the six provinces and two cities of the Cordillera.
Department of Education-Cordillera Director Estela Ca-riño thanked Apayao for hosting the games.
“When we talk of Caraa Meet, the bulk of expenses would really come from the schools’ division offices. For Apayao, the expenses would come from the pro-vince and we thank them for their kindness in hosting the event,” Cariño said.
Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang also thanked DepEd for choosing the pro-vince as this year’s host and pledged full support for the event, emphasizing her office’s commitment to sports and youth development programs.
Around 6,000 de-legates, composed of student-athletes and their coaches, are expected to flock to the province during the region’s sporting event.
Aside from the delegates, the number would also go higher to include families and visitors who will witness the event.
The Apayao Police Provincial Office has assured security has been put in place to make sure that the event would go well.
Tourist destinations in the province have also been rea-died for the visiting contingents.
Apayao will host the Caraa Meet for the third time. The first time was in 2013 and then in 2019.
The year 2019 saw a big improvement in the sporting facilities of the pro-vince, where it also showcased the Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex during its hosting.
