Drilon, a native of Iloilo, enjoined Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas "to extend all the necessary support and assistance to the organizers."
He expressed his "full support" to the two-in-one event designed to "help our national sports program, put Iloilo in the triathlon map and boost our local tourism."
The Iloilo Challenge, presented by Rexona, Toyota and Pagcor and expected to add drama and color to the Dinagyang 2002, is to be upgraded in three years’ time into an international event by the organizers, UP-Hamili-Hamilia Foundation Inc. (UPHHFI) and Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).
"We are greatly heartened by Senate President Drilon’s gesture mirrored by the excellent preparations engineered by Pablito Araneta, the Iloilo Challenge executive director, with the full cooperation of the hosts, Province of Iloilo and City of Iloilo, " TRAP president Tom Carrasco said.
Top winners and performers in the trials and inter-club competitions sponsored by Negros Navigation, Italit,
Pioneer and Boysen Paints will earn berths in the national team/pool and a leg of the Asian Cup circuit, respectively.
The Dinagyang Foundation, Department of Tourism-Region VI, Panay Amateur Radio Club and Iloilo Tourism Office together with the UP Hamili Brotherhood and
UP Hamilia Sisterhood are working with the organizers to ensure the success of the events which consist of a .5-kilometer swim, 40-km bike and 10-km grind.
Full media coverage will be provided by SkyCable, ABS-CBN, TV4, ABS-CBN Radio, Sun Star Iloilo, Panay News, OK 720, IBC TV 12, Radyo Budyong, Bombo Radyo Phils., GMA TV 12 and The News Today.