DAVAO CITY, (PNA) — The Davao Dragon Boat Association (DDBA) will soon be formally organized with the election of officers next month.
This was agreed during the second organizational meeting held Tuesday afternoon at the conference room of the SK Building at the Almendras gym.
Retired Maj. Gen. Charly Holganza, who helped organized the Bohol International Dragon Boat competition last year, presided over the meeting attended by City Tourism Officer Lisette Marquez, a member of the Executive Committee.
Also present were Central 911 Davao Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel Jaldon, City Sports Development Division Deputy Chief Goldie Delvo, paddler Jersy Lerin of Philippine Rowing Association, Bugsay Dabaw president Dan “Jhun” Bacus and vice-president Jimmy Javier, Theo Espina of Tribung Mindanao Moutaineering Club (TRIMMOC), Samal Kayakfest organizer Lolito delos Reyes of ForePlay and the representatives of the Philippine National Red Cross Davao Chapter, Davao Wild Water Rafting and Ateneo de Davao University.
“We will invite more stakeholders and paddlers during the elections,” Holganza said.
He said that City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is fully supporting the dragon boat not only because it promotes sports and tourism but it also helps in environmental awareness.
“We can help clean the Davao River and the coastal areas here,” he said.
At least two dragon boats will be purchased by the city to jumpstart the activity.
“Our aim is to make Davao City the dragon boat capital in Mindanao,” Holganza said.
A trainer from the Philippine Dragon Boat Association will soon be hired to train and help the would-be paddlers and members of the dragon boat teams in Davao for at least one month.
DDBA will have its first competition in March during the Araw ng Dabaw celebration in preparation for the first-ever Davao International Dragon Boat competition on May 1-4, 2014.
The DDBA Executive Committee was earlier formed last week with Holganza as the chairman while the other members are Mayor Duterte’s executive assistant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, city sports consultant Glen Escandor and City Sports Development Division OIC William “Butch” Ramirez.