Legarda Lauds Antiqueños for Successful Opening of Palarong Pambansa, Stresses Importance of Sports to Keep Youth Off Drugs

Senator Loren Legarda today lauded her fellow Antiqueños for the successful preparations and opening of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa.

“I am very proud of all of you. Because of your diligence, cooperation and sense of duty you were able to host the Palarong Pambansa. Our guests felt the warm Antiqueño hospitality and they were amazed with the natural beauty of our province,” said Legarda during the flag-raising ceremony at the Provincial Capitol of Antique in San Jose de Buenavista.

“Let us keep it that way—be proud of our heritage and develop the talent of our citizens, especially the youth. Let us preserve our beautiful province where the mountains meet the sea. Let us protect our natural wealth—our wetlands, the Unong Lake and Lake Danao, our rivers, such as the Tibiao River and Bugang River, the Northwest Panay Peninsula, and the Rice Terraces in San Remegio, among many others. These natural treasures provide us with positive energy that allow us to be more productive and inspired,” she added.

The Senator also noted that the use of homestays to accommodate some of the delegates and their companions provided a unique experience as it allowed better interaction between the guests and the Antiqueños, with some even building friendships and exchanging recipes.

“Camaraderie was built not only inside the sporting venues among the student-athletes, but also within the province between guests and hosts,” said Legarda.

Meanwhile, the Senator also stressed the importance of developing sports and encouraging the youth to be involved in sports and other extracurricular activities for holistic development and also as a way to keep the youth off drugs and other vices.

“Competitive sports, physical education, recreation and active living must be encouraged among our youth through inter-sectoral cooperation. We need to provide the youth the enabling environment to hone their talents, improve their strengths, overcome their weaknesses, and ensure the promotion and protection of their physical, moral, social, intellectual and spiritual well-being,” said Legarda.

The 60^th Palarong Pambansa in San Jose, Antique from April 23-29carries the theme, “2017 Palarong Pambansa: Converges Youth Power, Builds Sustainable Future.”