Sports center reopens

CEBU, Philippines — After all the challenges and doubts, host Cebu City and the Department of Education (DepEd)-7 finally get a sigh of relief, after the newly refurbished Cebu City Sports Center rubberized track oval finally done and inaugurated yesterday, 12 days before the opening of the Palarong Pambansa 2024.

The rubberized oval is very crucial as it will be utilized for the centerpiece athletics event of the Palaro.

Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia, who took over the supervision of the construction of the CCSC oval following the preventive suspension of Mayor Mike Rama, led the inauguration activity.

DepEd-7 Director Salustiano Jimenez expressed elation as soon as he set foot at the brand-new oval, saying despite his busy schedule, he made sure to go to the CCSC to join in the inauguration and to check the facility himself.

Garcia thanked everyone who made things possible, while also giving credit to those who were instrumental in the feat, like Mayor Mike Rama who fought for the realization of the return of the Palaro to Cebu City after 30 years.

This year’s Palaro will be the third time that Cebu City played host to it, after doing so in 1954 and in 1994.

While he was not at the event, Rama earlier in the day called for “unity and cooperation” among local officials, as the city gears up for the Palarong Pambansa on July 6 to 16.

“I am very serious. We need to work together to make the Palaro successful,” he told a press conference.

The Freeman learned that although he is serving a six-month suspension ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman, Rama has been checking the CCSC, other competition venues, the billeting quarters, and even meeting the different committees and personalities involved.

“I am not just praying for success, but also for the Cebuanos and for the country as well,” Rama said during the same press conference.

He also urged local officials, especially his critics, that they temporarily set aside their political bickering and work together for the success of Cebu City’s hosting of the Palaro.

“Let us be the shining example of unity and teamwork. Political bickering among leaders and supporters shall be now set aside and political intramurals shall now take a backseat,” he said.

Who owns the CCSC lot?

Meanwhile, a day before the CCSC was reopened yesterday, following the culmination of repair works for the Palarong Pambansa, a question as to who actually owns the lot where the facility stands was foisted before the Cebu City Council last Wednesday.

In a privilege speech during their regular session, City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover raised this concern after learning during a series of discussions with the members of Abellana National School Alumni Foundation, Inc. (ANSAFI) that the lot has already been donated to the school.

"Ang concern sa kasagarang miyembro sa maong organization mao ang pagkuha balik sa control ning yuta nga gipanag-iya sa Abellana National School na nahimutangan sa Cebu City Sports Center," he said.

Alcover, who said he is among the founders of ANSAFI, said the claim is backed by deeds of donation that the City Council authorized in 1963 and in 1973.

In particular, he cited City Council Resolution No. 941 dated August 5, 1963, which authorized the mayor at that time "for and on behalf of the City of Cebu, to donate the following parcels of land as sites for the proposed construction of four buildings of the Abellana National School, with a total area of Eight Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-Five (8,425) square meters".

He likewise cited City Council Resolution No. 697 dated September 18, 1973, which likewise authorized the mayor to sign a deed of donation in favor of the Abellana National School.

He opted not to read the full extent of each resolution, saying that the point of both is that the lot where CCSC is had been donated to ANS.

"Kung ang Abellana National School ang tag-iya sa maong luna nga nahimutangan sa Cebu City Sports Center, unsa man ang role sa Cebu City Government ani?" Alcover said.

"Unsay epekto ani sa mga improvements ug mga fees na gi-collect sa management sa City Sports Center? Kinsay naay control sa mga fees nga gibayad sa mga users ning maong facilities?" he added.

Alcover further said that it is high time that the said matter be discussed, as the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 is already drawing near.

He, however, did not raise any motion following his privilege speech, saying his main concern is just to have the matter clarified and that as much as possible he does not want any conflict to arise as a result of the situation. — /RHM (FREEMAN)