Track oval to be ready a week before Palaro

CEBU, Philippines — The contractor of Cebu City Sports Center, SBD Builders, has assured that the track oval renovations will be concluded a week before the arrival of Palarong Pambansa athletes, says Cebu City Sports Commission chairman John Pages.

"In about one week's time as promised by the SBD contractors they already to finish, and the next step would be to put the lines sa oval; after that maybe we have a week or so  na di sa siya i-pagamit and this will be just in time," Pages told reporters yesterday.

Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia met with the contractors and representatives from different schools last week to discuss the final deadline of the construction, the state of the facilities, and any further updates.

It was agreed during the meeting that the final preparations will be done after the completion of the overall improvement. The deadline for the ground floor renovation is set on June 15, while the overall deadline is on June 22.

Delegates are expected to start arriving from June 28 to 30, a week before the opening of Palarong Pambansa 2024.

Meanwhile, Pages assured that the budget cut did not affect the overall preparations. Earlier, Garcia slashed the budget for the hosting of Palarong Pambansa 2024 from P400 million to P262 million.

Pages said they are now 90 percent ready to host the biggest sporting event in the country.

"Ang atong focus karon gyud is to provide na ready gyud ta for palaro and I think we're on the right track as what acting mayor Raymond mentioned last week, 90% nata ready," he said.

Pages also assured that swift completion does not compromise the quality of the venue.

"This remains to be seen but we are very confident that the quality will not be compromised not just on Palaro but of course ang number one goal is ma-ready ni siya for the entire opening ceremony... beyond sports, beyond the palaro mao mana atong theme, beyond sports, dapat ang quality ani niya dili ma compromise," he said.

When asked about the facilities, Pages said they will have to provide enough bathrooms and comfort rooms, as well as rented spaces for the delegates.

"Necessary and basic man gyud ni ang pagprovide og restrooms and shower rooms so it's a combination now of utilizing the existing once from the schools and then naa gihapon tay i-rent out. I don't know the details kung pila gyud but definitely, we have to provide enough bathrooms," Pages said.

Pages also said that all athletes are welcome to train at CCSC upon their arrival. This will, however, depend on the order of the mayor. — (FREEMAN)