DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio thanked Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, along with other prime movers in making the Davao City-University of the Philippines (UP) Sports Complex a reality, thus, making the city's hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2019 possible.
Duterte-Carpio, who welcomed some 7,000 delegates of 11 participating delegations during the opening ceremonies of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2019 last Sunday, January 27, said, "I'd like to express my gratitude to Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Secretary Leonor Briones of the Department of Education, Chairman Butch Ramirez of the Philippine Sports Commission, University of the Philippines and the office of Congressman Isidro and Alberto Ungab for coming together in helping the City Government of Davao. Thank you very much sa inyoha (to all of you)."
Ramirez, for his part, said, "It's an honor to work with the father before, who is now the President, and also serve Mayor Inday Sara in whatever endeavor."
The PSC chief shared that the realization of the completion-level Davao City-UP Sports Complex started from former mayor Rodrigo Duterte, UP Mindanao and Congressman Alberto Ungab.
"We are happy to support the mayor even after the Palarong Pambansa. I plan to speak with her next week and I hope she will come to the Batang Pinoy Mindanao Leg in Tagum hosted by Governor Anthony del Rosario," Ramirez said, adding that the national sports agency is also committed to provide sports medicine and sports sciences lectures and provide accredited coaches to Davao City and Davao region after the Batang Pinoy.
He also said that aside from the Davao City-UP Sports Complex, PSC can work together with schools, colleges and universities of other LGUs.
Ramirez, a former Davao City sports chief under then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and later Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, said "with the leadership of Mayor Inday Sara, we can create a Davao City and Davao region genuine grassroots sports path which will be a legacy of Duterte government."
He cited Duterte-Carpio's political will and vision in sports and governance. "If Davao and the region will have a unified sports program, it will not only bring honor and pride but will enhance the quality of life of Dabawenyos and instill pride, prestige and excellence among them," he said.
PSC donated over P100 million for the second phase of the construction of the Davao City-UP Sports Complex. PSC also brought its engineers and architects to give technical guidelines on the construction of the Davao City-UP Sports Complex for it to meet standard requirements for national and international competitions. (PR)