AFTER thorough inspection and assessment, the Incident Management Team of the City of San Fernando approved on August 24 the Colegio De Sebastian’s Gymnasium as a practice venue for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams.

The PBA announced the resumption of its Season 46 Philippine Cup in Pampanga after Metro Manila was placed under the stricter enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in August.

PBA games and practices will be held sans the fans and shall be subject to health and safety protocols adopted by the PBA Board of Governors from the government's Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Dr. Carlos B. Mercado, City Health officer-in-charge, said the PBA committed to maintain the closed-circuit or bubble set-up and follow the infection control policy of the LGU and the CDS.

“We have approved CDS to be the practice venue kasi sinunod naman nila yung ating health protocols. We just have to monitor them. May sarili ring safety officers yung PBA teams and itong CDS. Magbabantay din sila to ensure the proper implementation of our policies. Pag may nakita tayong na-violate sa ating policies, pwede nating iatras ang approval,” Mercado said.

Mercado was joined by Raymond Del Rosario, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer, and Neelam Pangilinan, Task Force Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (Wash) Leader.

Aside from CDS, PBA also secured two other practice and game venues -- the Don Honorio Ventura State University and the Angeles University Foundation Gym, the site of last year's historic bubble season. (PR)