The 3rd Dragon Boat Festival kicked off Friday at the Paoay Lake Natural Park as participated in by rowers from various parts of the country.

Hosted by the local government unit of Paoay, in cooperation with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, the three-day dragon boat festival aims to promote paddling sports to the younger generation and to let people discover the beauty of the lake as an ideal venue for water sports tourism.

During the event opening, Mayor Shiella Galano said more than 10 teams from the inter-agency category, as well as secondary and primary schools, will be competing in the dragon boat race which will culminate on Sunday.

Aside from that, the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation will conduct the 2nd leg national competition in the same venue with 10 competing teams.

The national team, three of its members from Paoay town, are likewise here for their training in time for the Southeast Asian Games.

Open to all dragon boat club teams for men and women divisions, the Paoay government plans to expand the competition by inviting other boat clubs in the future.

Since 2012, the Ilocos Norte government has developed the Paoay Lake as one of the leading attractions in the province and a popular venue for national and international rowing events until it was halted due to the pandemic. (PNA)