BACOLOD CITY – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is giving away almost P1 million in cash incentives to Western Visayas athletes who won medals in the recently-concluded 2012 Palarong Pambansa in Pangasinan.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday he already discussed the release of the funds to Provincial Administrator.

"We congratulate them and we are preparing their cash incentives. It's almost P1 million, P970,000 plus," the governor told reporters.

Western Visayas garnered 452 points to place second in the over-all results behind perennial leader National Capital Region.

For teams, gold medalists will get P50,000; silver medalists, P30,000; and gold medalists, P10,000 while for individual events, a gold medalist will receive P10,000; silver medalist, P5,000; and bronze medalist, P3,000.

In elementary division, Western Visayas ruled the boys' and girls' arnis, girls' athletics, boys' taekwondo, boxing, and softball while in secondary competition, they also dominated the boys' and girls' arnis, girls' basketball, girls' table tennis, and softball.

Education Regional Director Mildred Garay thanked Marañon for the cash incentives, and assured the governor of her support to Negros Occidental's bid to host the 2013 Palarong Pambansa.

Marañon said he is optimistic of the province's chances to win the hosting bid against Negros Oriental and Cebu.

"The bidding will be held around October. As in any contest, there's a big chance of winning but there's also a small chance of losing," the governor said.*NLG