Members of the Palawan Sangguniang Panlalawigan expressed frustration on Monday over the continued delay in the release of allowances and incentives for athletes and local government units (LGUs) that participated and won in the recent Provincial and MIMAROPA Regional Athletic Association (RAA) Meet.
According to 2nd District Board Member Al Ibba, several athletes and LGU representatives have already raised their grievances directly to his office, complaining that despite the passage of time, no financial support has been received.
The Provincial Treasurer’s Office, along with the Provincial Administrator, the Provincial Sports Office, and representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd), were summoned to appear before the Board to clarify the cause of the delay and determine where the bottleneck lies.
While the budget has reportedly been approved months ago, it remains unclear at which point the process has stalled, whether in documentation, disbursement, or distribution to the intended beneficiaries.
The delay is particularly disheartening given the athletes’ efforts to bring honor to their municipalities and to the province. For many, the allowances and incentives serve not only as financial support but also as recognition for months of hard work and discipline.