March 23, 2026
The Local Government Unit of Pavia recognized its young athletes during the regular Monday flag-raising ceremony held at the Municipal Hall, with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) leading the program. Municipal officials and employees gathered early in the morning, showing unity and support for the town’s achievers.
A highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of Pavianhon athletes who represented Iloilo Province as part of the SDO Iloilo Giants in the recently concluded WVRAA Meet 2026 in Passi City. Their performance brought pride to the municipality, reflecting strong discipline, determination, and commitment to excellence.
Notably, out of 16 elementary athlete-delegates from Pavia, 12 qualified for the Palarong Pambansa. In the secondary level, 23 out of 30 delegates secured qualification, bringing the total number of Pavianhon qualifiers to 35 athletes. This marks the first time in the history of Pavia sports that the municipality has produced its highest number of qualifiers for the prestigious national competition.
The Palarong Pambansa 2026 is set to be held in Agusan del Sur this May, where the qualified athletes will represent the region on the national level.
Mayor Luigi G. Gorriceta led the awarding of medals of excellence to medalists, covering bronze, silver, and gold awardees. Additional incentives in cash from the personal resources of the mayor were given to gold medalists who qualified for the national games. The mayor also assured full support from the LGU for all Pavianhon athletes who will represent the region.
In his message, Mayor Gorriceta commended not only the athletes but also their coaches, trainers, and families for their role in this achievement. He further emphasized the LGU’s ongoing efforts to improve local sports facilities to better support training and athlete development, with the aim of sustaining Pavia’s strong presence in future competitions.
