DAVAO del Norte Governor Anthony G. del Rosario on Thursday, September 13, withdrew the province's participation in the Batang Pinoy National Championship 2018, citing safety concerns because of Typhoon Ompong which is threatening northern Luzon.
Del Rosario announced the withdrawal from the games a day after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio cancelled the trip of the 301-member Davao City delegation.
Del Rosario, in a statement furnished to this writer by provincial sports coordinator at 4:42 a.m. Thursday, said: "Much as the Province of Davao del Norte would like to participate in the 2018 Batang Pinoy National Championship in Baguio City, as a gesture of support ot the grassroots development program of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), we regret to say that we would skip this year's event."
He said that the typhoon, which already entered Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as reported by Pagasa, has posed "serious concerns like possible landslide, torrential downpour and heavy flooding - aggravated by possible flight cancellation - that threaten the safety of our 95 DavNor delegates".
He added that they appreciated the joint efforts of the PSC and the city government of Baguio to address pressing safety concerns but they cannot take the lives of their athletes, coaches and delegation staff at risk.
Gulanes, in a separate Facebook interview late Wednesday evening, said the delegation was scheduled to depart at 7:30 a.m. yesterday via Cebu Pacific.
"Lisod maipit sa byahe, what if naay grabe nga landslide kay super typhoon bya (It's difficult to be stranded, what if there will be major landslide since it's a super typhoon )," he said
However, a handful of delegates from Davao City will still compete "at their own risk".
Meanwhile, SunStar Cebu reporter Richiel Chavez said Cebu Province’s delegation is already in Baguio City while the Cebu City delegation is staying at the PhilSports Arena dormitory while waiting for the typhoon to pass.