CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Misamis Occidental emerged as the undisputed powerhouse of Northern Mindanao sports on Tuesday, March 24, officially clinching the overall championship of the weeklong Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) meet in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
The province dominated the charts with a massive haul of 91 gold, 86 silver, and 89 bronze medals. Host province Bukidnon secured the second spot with a 67-43-61 tally, while Misamis Oriental followed in third place with 62 gold, 80 silver, and 79 bronze medals.
The NMRAA, an annual staple organized by the Department of Education (DepEd), serves as the final proving ground for student-athletes. Winners from this meet will move on to represent the region in the prestigious Palarong Pambansa, scheduled to be hosted by Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, this coming May.
Even as the sports meet concluded, the competitive spirit remained high in Misamis Occidental as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) launched the 10th National Fire Olympics at the Provincial Athletic Complex in Oroquieta City on Tuesday.
Under the theme, “Bumbero Alagad ng Kaligtasan, Kasangga sa Asenso ng Bayan,” the national event has gathered over 700 participants from 18 regions across the Philippines. The elite teams will compete in three specialized rescue and firefighting disciplines designed to test their operational readiness.
BFP Director for Operations, C/Supt. Robert Pacis, emphasized the deeper meaning behind the drills during his opening address.
“This event is more than just a competition. It is a testament to the strength, discipline and unwavering commitment of our firefighters across the nation,” he said.
With the province hosting the nation’s bravest responders while simultaneously celebrating a regional sports victory, Misamis Occidental stands at the center of the country’s athletic and civic spotlight this week.|
