By Hydee Templonuevo/Philippine News Agency
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato has approved an additional PHP50,000 incentive for a student-athlete from Banga town who set a new record in the 2019 Palarong Pambansa in Davao City.
Board member Ester Marin Catorce, chairperson of the provincial board’s committee on education, said Friday they will turn over the cash incentive on Monday, July 15, to long jump ace Hazel Domocum.
Catorce said the incentive was approved by the board earlier this week, along with a resolution commending her record-breaking feat.
“This (cash incentive) is the province’s commitment to help the young athlete build a decent home for her family,” Catorce said.
The 12-year-old Domocum, who hails from a poor Blaan family in Barangay Rang-ay in Banga, touched the hearts of Department of Education (DepEd)-Region 12 and provincial officials with her quest to help her family through her chosen sport.
Domocum said she will use her incentives to have their house repaired.
DepEd-12 officials led by regional director Allan Farnazo were inspired with her story and moved to provide the family with a house and lot, in coordination with the municipal government of Banga and the provincial government.
Catorce said they will also present the provincial board’s resolution to Domocum during the local government’s regular flag ceremony on Monday.
Authored by Catorce and ex-officio board member Allysa Marie Fale, who represents the Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation, the board honored the young athlete for bringing “pride and glory to the province.”
“By emerging victorious and becoming a record-holder in her sports category, the young athlete displayed excellence, competitiveness, extraordinary prowess and fitness, all admirable characteristics of an athlete,” the resolution said.
Domocum recorded a personal best of 5.08 meters to win the gold in the long jump elementary girls finals held at the University of Mindanao Sports Complex grounds in Davao City.
She erased the Palaro record of 5.07 meters set by Alyssa Marie Andrade of Western Visayas set in 2010 games in Tarlac.
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