Lapu gov’t to take pro-active role in Olango Swim tilt

Lapu gov’t to take pro-active role in Olango Swim tilt
By Mars G. Alison
Cebu Daily News
March 27, 2011

LAPU-LAPU City is taking a proactive role in the 4th Olango Challenge “Swim for Nature, Swim for the Future” set on April 30 at the Tambuli East beach resort.

With the city's thrust of promoting itself as a hub for sports tourism, Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Harry Don Radaza said the open-water swimming competition will help them prepare for an international triathlon competition the city is hosting in December.

Radaza, who heads the city’s committee on sports and tourism, said they have been supporting the event since its first undertaking in 2008. But this year, they will be more active in showing their support as a way of thanking the organizers for making Olango Island a beneficiary of this fund-raising event.

The Olango Swim is organized by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in partnership with the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (PASA). It is a fund-raising activity for the benefit of Olango residents.

Radaza said they would invite locals to watch and take part in the event.

“I have always wondered why there are no locals who take part in this event when most people there live along the coast. This would be easy for them because they are familiar with the area,” Radaza said.

The event's other objectives are talent identification for the national training pool; advocacy for a clean and safe environment and promotion of drowning prevention.

Last year, the event raised P1.7 million which allowed for the reforestation of 5,200 trees on Olango Island and the construction of another two-room classroom building for the public elementary school at barangay Caw-Oy.

Proceeds of this year’s Olango Challenge will be used for an extensive reforestation effort in the island.

Discounts will be given to early registrants until April 15, while registration will continue until before the start of the race.