CEBU, Philippines — Carcar City only had a month to prepare for its hosting of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Regional Meet, but Mayor Mario Patricio Barcenas definitely felt it is worth the risk as it helped them prove to the rest that pork meats and other products in their area are safe for human consumption amidst the issue on ASF earlier.
Former Barili mayor Julie Flores, who was also with Barcenas during The FREEMAN’s interview back then, had disclosed that there were other LGUs offered to hold the CVIRAA, but these localities gave a cold shoulder, and only Carcar took the challenge.
Of course, Carcar just had a new sports complex with a rubberized oval, an Olympics standard-swimming pool that is already available for the weeklong regional meet.
A month before Carcar’s hosting, the area was suddenly tagged to have been infected by ASF.
This, however, did not stop Carcar from pushing with its intent of hosting the event, as it sees this as an opportunity to bounce back stronger.
“Nakatabang gyud. Pila ka divisions gud na? Baynte ka division, unya naa tay issue sa African Swine Fever. Pero pag-ari diri, nakakaon sila sa atong produkto – lechon, chicharon, tanan, nawa ng issue sa ASF,” Barcenas said.
The 20 divisions are from Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor.
Barcenas said the CVIRAA has helped the city “economically” too.
“Pila gud ka baboy naihaw, kay anhi raman pud mangompra. Ang almost 20,000 delegates diri mag-kumprahan dala sad sa mga ubang niari diri sa Carcar. So, nisaka gyud ang economy sa Carcar,” Barcenas said.
He added he made the rounds in the billeting areas of all the 20 divisions, and he did not hear any hesitation nor complaints concerning the pork supply, yet, there were a lot of orders.
If there is one thing that needed extra attention, it was the city’s water supply that he wants to address.
After the CVIRAA, Barcenas looked forward to hosting another event, but he wanted to go back to the drawing board first and have the athletes go back to basics.
Carcar is also looking into forming its own sports commission and training pool of athletes so that they will have a better showing in the next sporting event.
Carcar ended with two golds, four silvers, and three bronzes.
Barcenas said he was not disappointed with the results since they reportedly fared better against the likes of Talisay, Tanjay and Siquijor Province at the end of the multi-sporting event. (CEBU NEWS)