Cebu City gets P30 million for Palarong Pambansa hosting

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management has set aside P30 million as financial assistance to the Cebu City government for the staging of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa set July 6 to 17.

Ernest Herrera, one of Mayor Mike Rama’s consultants, revealed that they have secured P30 million financial assistance from DBM through Undersecretary Wilford Wong.

Herrera disclosed that this came following a visit of Usec. Wong in Cebu recently, wherein the former grabbed the opportunity to discuss the Palaro to the DBM official.

Herrera then informed Mayor Mike Rama that the city would need to formally request for some assistance.

Herrera also met with DBM Sec.Amenah Pangandaman to discuss further the request.

Another meeting then took place with DBM, alongside city Councilors Donaldo Hontiveros and Philip Zafra to discuss in detail where the funding would go.

Just a couple of days after the last meeting with DBM, Herrera said they received the good news from Usec.Wong about DBM’s allocation of P30 million.

Herrera said the funds is already available and the city government just needs to comply with the pre-requisites before the release of funds.

“There’s a notice for Cebu City already about that funding…But dili na ni sa akong side to comply with the requirements,” added Herrera.

The said financial assistance will be utilized for the further improvements of schools that will serve as billeting quarters for the delegates of the Palaro.

Earlier, The Freeman received feedback that among those that needed equal attention to as the playing venues are the comfort rooms of the billeting quarters.

As such, Herrera said the majority of the budget allocation will be used for the rehabilitation of comfort rooms.

Aside from that, the city government is also looking at improving water pipes, as well as water storage areas especially with the hounding water supply problem in the city.

But even before the said budget could be received, the City government has disclosed that they have already made some improvements on the identified billeting quarters since it will also be utilized for the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association(CVIRAA) Regional Meet, which the city is also hosting next week.

Different offices and departments of the City Hall have been assigned to oversee the repair works to ensure that even in the regional meet, visiting athletes, coaches, and delegation officials get a comfortable stay in the whole duration of the multi-sporting event. (CEBU NEWS)