“Palarong Bayan 2016-2017” was successfully launched at the Municipal Covered Court yesterday, November 26.

The tournament is open to all barangays of the town and is divided into two events, basketball league set for men and volleyball league for women.

The activity started with a parade around the Poblacion area, with each team flaunting its beautiful muse in her sports attire.

This year’s inter-barangay Palaro was organized by the Municipal Physical Fitness and Sports Development Council (MPFSDC), led by its Executive Director Bernardo Jimenez. In his welcome speech, Jimenez said the basketball and volleyball tourney was sponsored by the municipal government, which aims to promote health and fitness.

Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao said this year’s theme, “Uksoy tan Biskeg na Karaklan, Aliguas na Baley Nagamuran,” simply means cooperation towards a common goal. Further, Quiambao said the tourney also aims to develop cooperation, camaraderie and sportsmanship among the youth of Bayambang.

The local chief executive also lauded the MPFSDC in its active role in organizing this sports activity of the town.

The local government unit’s (LGU) White Team cheering squad, which was the grand champion in this year’s LGU Sportsfest Cheering Competition, mesmerized the crowd once again with their winning number.

Sangguniang Bayan member, Councilor Phillip Dumalanta, who is Chairman of the Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports Development, thanked the participants and called for the cooperation of the youth to help the LGU achieve its goal of becoming a safe and smart town. Dumalanta said this move by the LGU is also its way of preventing the youth from engaging in illegal and crime-related activities.

Quiambao, assisted by Municipal Administrator Rodelynn Rajini A. Sagarino, led the ceremonial toss to formally declare the start of the tournament, garnering a round of applause from the crowd.

(Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs)