LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Governor Amado I. Espino, III has expressed gratitude to Local Government Units (LGUs) in Pangasinan for their active participation and support to the 1st LGU Unity Games organized by the provincial government.
During the awarding ceremonies of the said sporting event held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center gym on September 8, Espino extolled local chief executives, vice mayors and councilors of towns and cities, and the LGU employees for devoting time on their participation to the maiden edition of the Unity Games.
The LGU Unity Games, a brainchild project of Espino, is a sports development program which seeks to strengthen rapport and camaraderie among LGU employees, and also an avenue for health and wellness promotion.
“The provincial government is non-stop with its sports development thrust. We continue to launch programs for the good of Pangasinenses. Halos every month, may mga sports activities tayo,” Espino said, as he pointed out that sports programs for the youth, like the Governor’s Cup – Inter-town Basketball Tournament which his leadership launched, serve as strategies to lead them to a better mindset and disposition in life.
Espino, assisted by Provincial Sports Development and Management Council Executive Officer Modesto Operania and Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas – Pangasinan President Edilberto Abalos, awarded the winners and runners-up in the basketball (for male employees) and volleyball (for female employees) tournaments, respectively.
Bagging the championship trophies along with a hefty Php100,000 cash prize each, are: Alaminos City (Champion, Volleyball Tournament – Division I), Burgos (Champion, Volleyball Tournament – Division II); Urdaneta City (Champion, Basketball Tournament – Division I), and Urbiztondo (Champion, Basketball Tournament – Division II).
Runners-up went home as well with cash prizes amounting to Php75,000 (1st runner-up), Php50,000 (2nd runner-up), and Php25,000 (3rd runner-up).
The comlete list of winners include: Volleyball – Division I: Sta. Barbara, 1st runner-up; Rosales, 2nd runner-up; and Bayambang, 3rd runner-up.
Volleyball – Division II: Aguilar, 1st runner-up; Sison, 2nd runner-up; and Urbiztondo, 3rd runner-up.
Basketball – Division I: Bugallon, 1st runner-up; Alaminos City, 2nd runner-up; and San Carlos City, 3rd runner-up.
Basketball – Division II: Sta. Maria, 1st runner-up; Basista, 2nd runner-up; and Aguilar, 3rd runner-up.
Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. also extended his sincerest gratitude to the Pangasinan LGUs for supporting the Unity Games.
Mayors who were present during the awarding ceremonies, include: Alberto Guiang, Jr.(Burgos), Susan Casareno (Rosales), Manolito de Leon (Basista), and Martin Raul Sison (Urbiztondo).
By: Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca
