THE Cebu City Government will spend at least P65 million for the renovation and construction of sports facilities in its bid to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2024.
Almost three decades have passed since Cebu City hosted the country’s biggest inter-school event way back in 1994, which is also the year the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) was completed.
Veteran Cebuano baller and Cebu City Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros said Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, that the P65 million from the Cebu City Government will not be enough since a lot of sporting facilities need to be improved.
The funds are allocated under the City’s capital outlay in its 2023 annual budget, he said.
According to Hontiveros, he cannot provide the total budgetary requirement, but the City will be assisted in getting additional funding from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) through its commissioner, Edward Hayco, who is also a former CCSC chairman.
Hontiveros added that the PSC will surely help the City since the PSC is envisioning to have the CCSC as a regional training facility for athletes in Central Visayas.
The renovation of the CCSC and construction of additional facilities are geared toward the hosting not only of the Palaro but also other big sporting events, he said.
This year’s Palarong Pambansa host is Marikina City in the National Capital Region. The event will take place in July.
Hontiveros said the Palaro will also happen in the same month in 2024, giving Cebu City ample time to prepare.
Among the facilities that need to be improved are the oval track inside the CCSC and the rooms, bathrooms and restrooms.
A new 25-meter swimming pool will also be constructed for the Palaro’s swimming and aquatic events.
Hontiveros did not provide a definite timeline for the construction of these facilities, but he said the City’s engineering department has already been informed that these must be ready later this year.