All systems go for 36th Paraw Regatta sailboat competition
All systems are in place for the 36th Paraw Regatta competition as some 70 sailboat participants join the oldest sailboat competition in the country on Sunday along the Iloilo and Guimaras Strait. The sailboat race begins at the Villa Beach Arevalo.
In this Sunday's sailboat competition, expected to join are boatmen from the island-province of Guimaras and Leganes as well as other places.
Last year, contestants from Leganes ruled the sailboat contest.
Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo Commander Harold Jarder said all systems are in place for coastguard personnel, volunteers, rescuers and boats to ensure the safety of participants in the competition. Though, the coast guard is currently monitoring an active low pressure area east of northern Mindanao as it will affect the weekend festivities.
Harder said they are hoping it will not develop into a tropical depression as it will spoil all the preparations made for the Paraw Regatta festival. Though, the low pressure area is already 100 kilometers away from the island. "We are praying that it won't gather strength to become a full blown weather disturbance," Jarder said.
On the part of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation Inc. (PRFI), Board Director Jose Piamonte said the event will have to be postponed if the weather proves to be dangerous for the sailers.
"The foundation could not put the participants at risk. The competition can't go on when its raining and the waves are high," Piamonte said.