Cebu City Government to spend P53 million to repair sports center’s rubberized track oval

THE Cebu City Hall will be spending P53 million for the rehabilitation of the rubberized track oval at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) as part of the preparation for its bid to host the 2024 Palarong Pambansa.

Another P30 million will have to be raised to renovate the swimming pool, but Cebu City Sports Commissioner John Pages said funding will come from the private sector.

The City Council approved the allocation of P53,275,161.40 under Account 3392-50703990-58, or Other Infrastructure Assets-Renovation of Various Sports Facilities, during its regular session on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

City Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros, chairman of the committee on education, introduced the measure to the council after the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) submitted the program of works and estimates to the sports commission.

The City Budget Office, in a certification dated May 29, confirmed the availability of funds amounting to P58,580,000 under Account 3392-50703990-58.

Hontiveros said the P53 million is part of the P59 million allocated by the City for the repair of the entire sports center.

During the regular session on May 24, the Council also approved Hontiveros’ resolution exempting the Cebu City Sports Commission from the provision of Section 14 of the Cebu City Annual Budget for 2023 ordinance.

Section 14 of the ordinance states that appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlay shall only be released on a quarterly basis. It also stipulates that not more than 75 percent of the appropriation per quarter shall be released unless the estimated revenue has been realized or unless authorized by the Sangguniang Panlungsod through an enabling resolution.

Opposition City Councilor Nestor Archival expressed his support for the measure but requested that the project go through a proper bidding process.

Hontiveros, in an interview on Sunday, June 11, said the bidding will now proceed with the approval of the council.

Pages, in a separate interview on Sunday, said the rehabilitation of the entire sports center is a joint project between the City Government, private sector and the sports community.

The rubberized track oval was last repaired in 2012 for P26 million.

He said the pool has not been rehabilitated since the sports center was built in 1994, when Cebu City last hosted the Palarong Pambansa.

The renovation and repair works of the sports center are targeted to be completed within six months, or by December.

“Whether we win the bid to host the 2024 Palarong Pambansa or not, the sports community will benefit from our improved facilities,” Pages told SunStar Cebu.

In a previous interview with City Administrator Collin Rosell, he stated that the City envisions a sports facility that is on par with global standards.

Cebu City is competing with Bacolod City and Antique Province for the hosting of next year’s Palaro.