Thursday, August 12, 2004 Gwen won’t give up megadome plan By Jeanette P. Malinao Sun.Star Staff Reporter
GOV. Gwendolyn Garcia believes now is the time to build the much-opposed 16,000-seater megadome.
For the first time since she assumed office, Garcia said building the facility is already long overdue.
The governor, who kept mum on the issue until after she was sworn into office, told the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in a Capitol-hosted dinner Tuesday night that she hopes sports will finally unify Cebu, after being divided about the matter.
“I wish we could host you (PBA) in a much bigger, world-class facility next time. Too much politicking has put this project on hold, but there is hope in us,” Garcia told PBA commissioner Noli Eala and some visiting athletes.
“Sports tourism means a lot to Cebu’s economy,” the governor added.
Eala, in response, promised to open a whole PBA season in Cebu if the megadome is completed, as well as three to four games held here every month.
The PBA All-Star entourage is in town for the PBA All-Star Week, which includes barhopping, a basketball clinic, coastal clean-up drive and an anti-drug campaign.
Patrick Gregorio, chairman of the Cebu Visitors’ Convention Bureau, also expressed support for the megadome.
Gregorio said it is not just sports that will benefit from the megadome but also the tourism sector.
Opposition was raised against the proposed P250-million project, a debate over which spanned one elective term at the Cebu Provincial Board. The issue was even used against Garcia during the elections.
The group of former congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. sees the project as “a waste of government funds.”
The proposal was for a joint venture agreement between Cebu Province and the Mandaue City Government, which will donate the lot where the megadome will rise.
The annual budget containing the megadome was also questioned before the court.
Those who support the megadome, however, see the facility as an answer to Cebu’s need for a venue for international activities and a landmark that will reinforce the Cebuanos’ sense of pride.
(August 12, 2004 issue) Write letter to the editor.Click here. Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
