MARIKINA City 1st District Representative Marjorie Ann “ Maan” Teodoro pushed to increase the allowances of Marikina student-athletes and teacher-coaches competing in this year’s Regional Athletic Meet as she underscored the need to provide the full support they deserve.

Cong. Teodoro convinced Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro during the send-off ceremony for the city’s athletes and coaches bound to the Regional Palaro 2023 the other day ,to increase the allowances of student-athletes and their coaches.

The lawmaker explained that the meal allowance was raised from P300 to P500 per day for five days.

“Ang meal allowance for athletes, coaches ay P2,500. Mula P300 naging P500 kaya P2,500 na. Transportation allowance would be P2,500 also. Training allowance is P3,500 for a total of P8,500,” Cong. Maan said.

“Alam ko tayong lahat gustong manalo. Iyon naman ang dahilan kung bakit tayo sumali. Pero minsan hindi lang sa pagkapanalo ang sukatan ng kagalingan. Iyong natamo ninyong karanasan, isang malaking panalo na rin iyan.”

According to her, the city increased the allowances for students and teachers because they understand how difficult it will be for them to represent Marikina in the NCR Palaro and give their all throughout the competition.

“Dahil alam kung deserve na deserve ng bawat isa na atleta, ng coach, mga kasamang guro. Kahit papaano kaunting umento doon sa pagkain natin sa allowance dahil alam kung magiging challenging ang NCR Palaro,” she said.

“At kahit man lang dito sa paraang ito yung allowance ninyo ay matulungan namin kayo at mabigay namin yung best din ng ating siyudad at ng DepEd.”

Extremely elated with the good news of Cong. Maan, students and teachers inside the Teatro Marikina rejoiced as they clapped their hands.

Meanwhile, Mayor Marcy announced that over and above the P8,500, an additional of P5,000 will be given to student-athletes representing Marikina in the NCR Palaro.

“Lahat ng athlete would have an additional allowance, over and above the P8,500, an additional of P5000. Again, to all the athletes, congratulations!”

Following the series of announcements from both officials, students and teachers were overjoyed by the very generous support from Mayor Marcy and Cong. Teodoro.

Saying he is very proud of the athletes of Marikina, Mayor Marcy said he salutes them for their unwavering dedication and great discipline.

“Saludo ako, bilib ako sa mga atleta na kasama natin ngayon. Mabuti at magandang halimbawa kayo sa ating mga kaeskwela, sa ating mga kaibigan. Sa disiplina natin sa sarili, sa tamang paggamit ng ating oras, tamang pangangalaga sa ating katauhan,” he said.

“Iyong pag-aaral, pangunahin. Iyong sports napakahalaga sapagkat it complements our well-being. As we radiate it, nakakatulong din tayo. Iyong good vibes sa sports.”

In January, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced the conduct of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City from July 29 to August 5.

To comply with the provisions of DepEd Order No. 034 series of 2022 titled School Calendar Activities for the School Year (SY) 2022-2023, particularly on the prevention of disruption of classes and in strict observance of the Covid-19 minimum public health and safety protocols, the DepEd said that a “modified competition format” shall be adopted for the 2023 edition of the Palarong Pambansa.

The conduct of all competitions leading to and including the culminating Palarong Pambansa, such as the lower meets (Intramurals, Division, Regional and Pre- National qualifying) shall be guided by the following guidelines such as, Implementing Guidelines on the Modified Competition Format for the 2023 Palarong Pambansa. Guidelines on the Eligibility of Athletes and Guidelines on the Health and Safety Protocols, Learner Rights and Protection, and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Relative to the conduct of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa.