CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Vice Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda handed cash incentives to 16 athletes with disabilities who won in the recently concluded 6th Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled National Para Games (Philspada-NPG).
Pineda was assisted by Board Member Cherry Manalo, Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon, and former board member Attorney Gerome Tubig during the athletes visit at the Provincial Capitol here.
The Pampanga delegation brought honor after winning 13 gold medals, 12 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals. The Philspada winners received P10,000 each as cash incentive.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Officer Elizabeth Estiller-Baybayan said the beneficiaries received educational and financial assistance.
They can also avail free checkups in provincial and district hospitals of Pampanga, according to Baybayan.
Angelito Barro II, one of the awarded participants with hearing impairment, will participate in the upcoming Deaf International Basketball Federation (DIBF) Asia Pacific Cup in Melbourne, Australia on November 20 to 25.
Barro won bronze for the Javelin Throw in the Philspada-NPG.
Barro's mother Leni said her son always had a heart for sports.
The young Barro developed his skills by playing basketball with soldiers at their place in Clark. At the age of 12, he started participating in basketball competitions.
“Every time naman na may sports events tumutulong yung Capitol, wala kaming masabi sa suporta,” she said.
(Every time that there is a sports event, Capitol always extends its help. There is not enough words to say of the support it has extended us)
Barro and his team, Philippine Deaf Association, will leave the country on November 18 which happens to be his birthday.
Other Philspada winners are Eliza Baluyut; Rommel Laurencio; Ma. Mercedez Ponce; Maybelle Angeles; Jannyl Rivera; Eduardo Mendoza; Christian Medrano; Ronnel B. Cacho; Christian Chantengco; Wilma Waje; Mary Ann S. Zamora; Jessie Turla; Elvin Reyes; Alvin Santiago; and Saira Jane P. Alburo. (Almira Julia A. Bituin)