AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao) said the deadline for the completion of the rehabilitation of the sports complex in Zamboanga City has been extended for three months from January to March 2017.

Project Manager Shadimar Jalaidi cited several factors that caused the delay of the rehabilitation works at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.

Jalaidi said the factors included weather disturbance, variation of orders, and the processing as well as the delivery of the needed materials like the rubber and artificial grass, which come from Germany.

The imported rubber will be used in playing fields and track oval while the artificial grass is for the soccer football field.

Jalaidi said the imported rubber and the artificial grass are set to arrive on January since it takes two months for the processing and delivery of the materials.

He said the rehabilitation works at the sports complex is now more than 30 percent completed, adding the project cost is P187 million and to be finished within 297 calendar days.

The rehabilitation work is being undertaken by a private contractor and is under the supervision of the DPWH.

The sports complex was destroyed since it has served as the biggest evacuation center for the more than 100,000 people displaced during the September 2013 siege. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)