Employees and beneficiaries from eight (8) Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs) composing four (4) Local Government Units (LGUs) from the City Social Welfare and Development Offices (CSWDO), Vigan City, the Province of Ilocos Sur, Laoag City, and the Province of Ilocos Norte held the first ever Sports Festival of the Area-Based Standards Network (ABSNet) Ilocandia at the Great Heights Learning Center in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

 With the theme “Pigsa ken Panagkaykaysa, Bileg ti Ilocandia” (“Strength and Unity, Power of Ilocandia”), all the participants were able to strengthen their camaraderie and relationship among the SWDAs. This also had provided venue for socialization activities of the clients which is contributory to achieve their rehabilitation goals.

 Participating SWDAs strongly   believe that with strengthened bonding better implementation of programs and services are provided to clients.

 The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer of Ilocos Sur Mr. Ferdinand R. Concepcion showed his all-out support to the Sports Festival through the preparation of the venue and his presence in all the activities.

 Among the sports that were played and enjoyed by the participants were Basketball (boys), Chess (PWDs), Volley ball (Girls), Slogan and Poster Making Contest and Ballroom Dancing (Senior Citizens).

 Winners (in proper order) in the different events brought home 1^st prize (P1,500.00), 2^nd prize (P1,000.00), and 3^rd prize (P500.00) respectively: Basketball-Spirit and Life Mission House and Great Heights Learning Center; Chess (1 entry only)-Spirit and Life Mission House; Volley ball-Caritas Nueva Segovia, Tahanang Carmela D’ Amore, and Spirit and Life Mission House; Poster Making Contest-Spirit and Life Mission House, Great Heights Learning Center and Shekinah Homes; and Ballroom Dancing (2 pairs only from Vigan City, Ilocos Sur).

 Aside from the rivalry in the scores which created a lively atmosphere during the outdoor and indoor games, all the participants got more excited to receive cash prizes that are at stake in the raffle draw initiated by the ABSNet Ilocandia Cluster with Solicitation Permit No. DSWD FO1-SP-00016-2012.

 The winners of the raffle draw are as follows: 1^st prize (P5,000.00)-Vigan Christian Capitol Learning Center;  2^nd prize (P3,000.00)-City Government of Vigan; 3^rd prize (P2,000.00)-Mr. Amado Pascua from the CSWDO Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Ten consolation prizes were also given away to lucky ticket owners. One of whom was the ABSNet-La Union Cluster.

 Proceeds from this Sports Festival amounting to approximately P21,655.00 will be utilized for the better implementation and delivery of various programs and services of the Cluster.(By Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Administrative Assistant V, NHTS-PR)