Antique’s provincial government on Tuesday released PHP1.5 million for the allowance of 88 athletes and 12 technical officials who will represent the province at the 2024 Batang Pinoy in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Nov. 23-28.

Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao said in an interview that the support, which is higher than the PHP1 million in 2023, is part of encouraging more Antiqueños to engage in sports.

“Each athlete and coach received a PHP15,000 allowance,” she said.

The athletes will participate in 11 events – taekwondo, dance sports, pencak silat, boxing, swimming, chess, table tennis, athletics, arnis, archery, and beach volleyball.

“We are giving the athletes, chosen well to represent our province, all support,” Cadiao said.

She said through sports, athletes develop not only the spirit of competition but also self-discipline.

Meanwhile, Cadiao said the provincial government has allocated PHP43 million for athletes and technical officials who will join the Antique Provincial Athletic Association Meet (APAAM) at the Binirayan Gymnasium in San Jose de Buenavista as the main venue on Dec. 4-8.

Athletes will compete in 23 sports events in preparation for the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Meet Association (WVRAA), which Antique will host in the second week of March 2025. (PNA)