City vows financial help to Paraw Regatta
City Mayor Jerry Treñas vowed to give a financial assistance of P600,000 for next year's Paraw Regatta Festival.
Treñas made the assurance to the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation (IPRF) in last Monday's launching ceremonies for Paraw Regatta.
Paraw Regatta, a race among native outriggers in the strait of Iloilo and island-province of Guimaras would be on its 36th years in 2008. It was recently adjudged as the third top festival in the country by the Association of Tour Operators.
Treñas said he hopes for additional help from other private organizations and the province of Iloilo for the success of the festival. He stressed the success of the activity depends on the cooperation of every sector.
The honor and recognition reaped by Paraw Regatta is a manifestation of support and cooperation of the people, Treñas stressed.
In yesterday's launching of the Paraw Regatta, IPRF chair Manuel Villa Jr. said the festival finally was noticed by the "Republic of the Philippines" after it was named as third top festival in the country.
Villa, however, noted that Paraw Regatta already got international recognition particularly in Germany and Norway even before it was named as third top festival in the country. As such, the Norwegian government gave scholarships to 500 marine and nautical students. The scholarship program is the legacy that the foundation could give to the children of "paraw" crews who had been actively participating in the yearly event.
Norway's Ambassador to the Philippines will arrive next year to witness the festival. The presence of the envoy in the activity is a sign of recognition for Filipinos being the best seafarers in the world, said Villa.
In the same event, Villa recognized the effort of IPRF board of trustees, namely, Department of Tourism (DoT) Regional Director Edwin Trompeta, Lito Doran, Bing Ledesma, Jose Piamonte and Tatoy Espinosa for their continuing support to the festival.