Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has thrown his support to the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation and sought reconsideration from Mayor John Yap of Malay, Aklan, to allow the PDBF to stage the International Club Crew Championships in Boracay this weekend.
In his letter signed for him by his chief of staff, Rolando Averilla, dated April 23, Trillanes noted that holding two dragon boat competitions would “not affect each other as each competition has its respective participants and will be held at a different venue.”
The letter also asked consideration of the logistical problems the PDBF is facing if it decides to transfer to a different venue with such a short notice.
Yap already gave quotation for a permit to stage the ICCC and the PDBF has already deposited payment for P40,000. But the mayor last week said he’s declining the request because it will coincide with the 6th Boracay International Dragonboat Festival organized by the Boracay Island Paddlers Association.
Both events are scheduled April 26 to 28 in separate parts of the island.
The ICCC will be used to determine the players to be sent to the World Club Crew Championships in Korea. The Cobra PDBF paddlers shot to fame when they won five gold medals and two silvers in the World Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida, last August.
PDBF president Marcia Cristobal said revocation of the permit should be at least one month prior to the event and that the countries have started to arrive, including Australia.
“PDBF was the first one to apply for permit,” said Cristobal. “Two dragon boat races at the same time, I don’t think there’s a problem with this. This is like the Smart and Globe having their promo tours, same date in Boracay. Why impossible for dragon boat race?”
She said Yap was pressured by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission which recognize the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation, and not the PDBF, as the governing body for the sport.