AT LEAST two big universities have backed out from the delegation of Baguio City for the upcoming Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association which is set in Abra province.
The two universities which refused to be named cited security as the main concern in backing out in the region’s biggest weeklong sports competition slated February 4 to 9 with the Summer Capital defending its over-all title.
The Department of Education officials during a recent meeting said even with the back out, the city will not be affected as replacement players were also included in the list submitted to the regional office.
With the opening of the annual regional meet commences next week, Abra Governor Jocelyn Bernos said all venues, except the athletic oval in Bangued will be ready to accommodate close to 5,000 student athletes from the region.
Bernos admitted the athletic oval will only have four lanes finished after the contractor said the materials were held up at the port by customs official.
She added the athletic oval in Bucay will serve as an alternative venue for athletics.
The governor has repeatedly assured the safety of all delegates from Apayao, Baguio, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province after doubling the security measures following of a grenade blast in La Paz town which killed two police officers and hurting others including Rep. Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos and his wife Menchie.
“Just give us a chance to host CARAA. We have waited 17 years for this and we will not allow this isolated case to taint the new image of Abra. There will be round the clock security for all the billeting and playing venues,” assured Bernos.
Playing venues will also have tighter security while the opening program which is scheduled at around 7 p.m. will be moved to 4 p.m. while games should be finished 5 pm. An 8 p.m. curfew for all contingents will also be implemented during the weeklong tournament.
A total gun ban will also be enforced in the entire province from February 1 to 9 to ensure a peaceful and orderly hosting of CARAA.
Governor Jocelyn Bernos also stressed the sports delegations will be provided with police escorts and security personnel at their billeting areas and playing venues.
Bernos emphasized the use of the “2018 CARAA” meet identification cards will be strictly enforced, also appealing to delegates -- athletes, officials, and other support groups -- to abide by the security measures. (Roderick Osis)