MEETING PLACE The Cebu City Sports Center in this photo long before it was closed for repair on May 18, 2023. Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia on Wednesday (May 29, 2024) said the Cebu City Sports Center will be the final venue of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 slated from July 6 to 17. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
CEBU CITY – Cebu City Sports Center will be the final venue for the Palarong Pambansa 2024, acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia declared on Wednesday.
Garcia made the declaration as he pressured contractors to finish the track oval rehabilitation by the end of June, in time for the Palaro which is slated on July 6 to 17.
“I’m happy with what the contractor is doing. We can see that a second layer has been placed on our oval, which is the black rubberized granules. After that will be the third layer, which is orange in color,” the acting mayor said in Cebuano.
Although Garcia hinted that there is no “Plan B” on the Palaro venue, he said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia assured him to help the city make other track ovals in neighboring towns ready.
The governor and other mayors, including Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan, signed a memorandum of collaboration, expressing their readiness to team up with this capital city for the hosting of the Palaro.
Over 12,000 student-athletes nationwide excluding their relatives, friends, and chaperones will be in Cebu City for the Palaro.
Initially, the organizers have been eyeing Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu as co-hosts for games like the sepak takraw, arnis, and other indoor sports.
The Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City is also eyed as the venue for the finals of the Palaro basketball game.
Last Monday, Garcia vowed to make the Palarong Pambansa 2024 memorable for the athletes who will be competing in various sporting events in July.
Garcia said he already pressed the contractors to finish the track oval rehabilitation at the Cebu City Sports Center on time or else they would face the consequences.
“We are facing the importance of meeting the deadline, particularly in preparation for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa,” he said.
Garcia hinted at possible challenges the contractors would face on their licenses should they fail to complete the work on time.
Garcia visited the track oval upon his assumption on May 13 and found several works that needed the attention of the city government.
Among the major works found to have been delayed is the rubberizing of the track oval. The contractor explained the delay and vowed to finish it on time.
He cited the contractor’s explanation which said that the installation of the rubber at the eight-lane 400-meter racetrack oval should be done last so as not to be destroyed by heavy equipment used to repair the other components of the sports center.
Garcia said he is also meeting other people involved in the preparations for the Palaro that will be held from July 6 to 17. PNA