GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/29 May) – Region 12’s long jump ace Hazel Domocum only wanted to renovate their modest home in Barangay Rang-ay in Banga town, South Cotabato out of her incentives after winning a gold medal in the 2019 Palarong Pambansa.
Now the 12-year-old, who broke a nine-year Palaro record in long jump elementary girls, and her family will instead get a new house and lot, thanks to the efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Region 12.
Tyron Jann Villanueva, DepEd-South Cotabato sports coordinator, said on Tuesday their regional office has partnered with various stakeholders to help realize Hazel’s dream of having a simple yet permanent home for her family.
“(DepEd-12) is working to give her a small gift as additional incentive for highlighting the quest of the Soccsksargen warriors in the recent Palaro,” he said in a media forum.
He said DepEd-12 officials, especially regional director Allan Farnazo, were inspired by the young Blaan’s story during her stint at the Palaro in Davao City.
Hazel confided the difficult situation of her family and their lack of a permanent home for many years.
Villanueva said Farnazo resolved to help the young student-athlete in collaboration with the municipal government of Banga.
He said they also received a commitment for additional assistance from the provincial government of South Cotabato.
“We’re doing this through the Brigada approach,” he said, referring to the “bayanihan” strategy of DepEd’s annual Brigada Eskwela.
Hazel recorded a personal best of 5.08 meters to win the gold in the long jump elementary girls finals held at the University of Mindanao Sports Complex grounds in Davao City.
She erased the Palaro record of 5.07 meters set by Alyssa Marie Andrade of Western Visayas set in 2010 games in Tarlac.
Hazel already received at least P50,000 in cash incentives from DepEd-12 and the provincial government of South Cotabato for her feat.
Villanueva said Hazel, who completed Grade 6 last March at the Rang-ay Integrated School, will continue to train as she moves up to the secondary level.
“We’re hoping that she will continue to banner and win more medals for South Cotabato and Soccsksargen in the years to come,” he added. (MindaNews)
