“Most of these gold medals are from athletics, swimming, and other individual and team sports,” noted Mikey Aportadera, officer-in-charge of the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO).
Tagum City was second, followed by Davao del Norte in third, Panabo City fourth, Digos City fifth, Davao De Oro sixth, and Mati City seventh.
Davao Del Sur Cobras, Samal City Waves, Davao Occidental Slashers, and Davao Oriental claimed the eighth to 11th positions.
Dr. Allan Farnazo, DepEd Davao regional director, expressed aspirations for the region to place fourth in this year’s Palarong Pambansa, aiming to improve last year’s sixth-place ranking.
Moreover, Farnazo encouraged athletes to strive for excellence:
“Everyone must contribute to our target… We are forecasting an upward trend. To all the winners, remember, we have an obligation to those we defeated. We should earn their respect. Let those we have defeated give us the grandest salute by making them realize that, indeed, we are the best athletes to represent the region in the Palarong Pambansa,” Farnazo said in the vernacular.
Meanwhile, Davao City was also hailed as the cleanest and greenest delegation, earning a cash prize of P50,000, even as the Davao del Sur Cobras was named as the most disciplined delegation.
The sportsfest formally concluded with a ceremonial lowering of banners, symbolizing the end of the event, led by division superintendents and Duterte. Elle Mari Angelen Dela Cuesta, SunStar Intern
