W. Visayas Palaro split favors NCR

WITH the emergence of a new region, the balance of power in the Palarong Pambansa is expected to tilt heavily to National Capital Region’s favor.

Education department officials yesterday said Western Visayas, a perennial contender for the overall title, would suffer a huge talent drain after the two provinces of Negros recently became a separate region.

Bacolod City, a consistent source of medals in athletics, softball and football, among others, was removed from Western Visayas and merged with Dumaguete City to form the Negros Island Region, which was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 183 issued by President Aquino on May 29, 2015.

“There will be changes in the rankings because the medals are expected to be divided among Western Visayas, Negros and Central Visayas,” said DepEd assistant secretary for legal affairs Tonisito Umali during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

NCR, which has owned the overall plum in the Palaro for over a decade, will be the main beneficiary of the change when the meet is held in Albay from April 9 to 16.