BORONGAN CITY (PIA) -- Gov. Ben P. Evardone of Eastern Samar led the honoring of the 2023 Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) achievers during the awarding ceremonies held on May 16 at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium, Capitol Compound, this city.

The Office of the Governor initiated the recognition of the Eastern Samar Division delegation as the "KIDLAT ESTE" to give a salute and honor the achievers and coaches.

In his message, Gov. Evardone said that athletes may not have brought the bacon but honor to the Province of Eastern Samar.

"I would like to assure you that the Provincial Government will continue to support financially all the way to Palarong Pambansa," Gov. Evardone said.

He also assured the athletes who will undergo the Pre-Palarong Pambansa Elimination in Carcar, Cebu City, and those athletes (individual winners) who will go directly to the Palarong Pambansa in Marikina, that they will receive strong support from the provincial government.

"If there's a need for a supplemental budget for financial support for Palarong Pambansa, we will do that," Gov. Evardone added.

"For the achievers and coaches, we may have given a small amount to you but the most important is we recognized you," Evardone said.

Evardone said this is the first time that the provincial government gave incentives to the medalists.

The Eastern Samar Division delegation got 15 gold, 16 silver, and 36 bronze, or a total of 67 medals.

For the achievers, they received incentives from the Provincial Government amounting to P1,000 each for gold, P700 for silver, and P500 for bronze medals while the coaches received P1,000 each for gold, P650 for silver, and P500 for bronze medals.

Gov. Evardone awarded the incentives to the athletes and coaches assisted by Schools Division Superintendent Gorgonio G. Diaz, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Rey F. Bulawan, Division Sports Officer Abelardo G. Campani, Curriculum Implementation Division Chief Nicolas G. Baylan, PCL President and Regional Chairperson Ralph Vincent Evardone,  and Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Member Atty. Byron M. Suyot.

This year, the Eastern Samar Division delegation landed 5th place out of 13 Divisions of Eastern Visayas from 8th place in the last EVRAA Meet. (MMP/SDC/PIA Eastern Samar)