Acting mayor wants contractor to provide details: Track oval issue “premature” - Garcia

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia says it is a "premature” declaration that the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) track oval is substandard after reports surfaced that it fell short of the actual 400-meter measurement.

In an interview with reporters yesterday, July 12, 2024, Garcia admits confusion over the report as the same track oval was utilized during the hosting of Palarong Pambansa 1994 where no similar issue on measurements came out.

“We have been using this in many sports activities, mao ng nahibong ko,” said Garcia.

According to Garcia, while the report did not specifically say that the track oval’s measurement falls short, it said that the technical specifications will be handled by the contractor. The CCSC’s track oval contractor is the SBD Builders.

In line with this, Garcia said he is set to meet the contractor to resolve and settle the issue. Garcia however said if it is indeed proven that the oval’s measurement is not up to standard, he will hand the decision-making to the technical committee.

“Kung either they will approve of it or they will adjust it, ila na kay ang importante  man ana if its really proven short, syaro naman og walay remedies ani niya,” said Garcia.

The Freeman reported yesterday that the alleged substandard track oval of CCSC is affecting the results of the track event of athletics competition in the 64th Palarong Pambansa after the national technical committee refused to recognize any new record set in the contest, unless the contractor is able to show proof of the exact measurements of the newly-refurbished facility.

This was confirmed by Palaro national technical officials Narciso Dasigan and Jeanette Obiena in separate interviews wih The Freeman at the start of the athletics event.

Dasigan declined to make comments concerning the construction and condition of the oval, but said as far as the competition is concerned, no record will be recognized if the oval is proven short of the actual 400-meter measurement. A high-placed source said the track oval is 20-meters short of the standard.

However, contrary to what has been reported, Garcia stressed that the 20-meter shortage is not possible, saying that such length can be easily noticed.

“If it’s only two meters then what we can is duha rana ka dupa, ato nalang i-atras ang starting point, ato nalang butangan og paint. That’s what they did from the past nga sayop ilang pagbutang sa linya, what they did kay nagbutang nalang sila og masking tape to make it standard,” said Garcia.

“Ako for me, it’s premature,” he said, adding that they can only wait for the technical specifications, particularly on the exact measurement of the track, which he has already ordered the contractor to fast track and provide to the technical committee so that the assessment will be released.

Garcia added that they are still hopeful that the track oval’s measurement is up to standard.

When asked if the allegations of the track oval being substandard can affect the credibility of the previous sports events that the city has hosted, Garcia said it is yet to make a difference as no definitive conclusion has been made.

“So I want this issue resolved, today. Kay para, you know, mawala na nato nga kabalaka ba nga kani diay standard or dili,” said Garcia.

He also hopes that the media “will be fair” in reporting should it be proven the track oval is up to standards.

Technical details

Philippine Sports Commissioner (PSC) Edward Hayco is also calling on the contractor of the refurbished CCSC’s track oval to reconcile the technical details with the Palarong Pambansa’s athletics technical consultant.

“We have to validate and verify the transits or schematics and technical dimension of the oval,” said PSC Commissioner Hayco to the Freeman yesterday. Hayco was also a former chairman of the Cebu City Sports Center.

Hayco said if it was submitted by the contractor, they want to verify it.

“Because based on the technical details that was submitted to them, (it) did not jive. Mrs.Obiena (Jeanette), the consultant, was the one that provided all the technical details to the contractor,” Hayco added. The details were given before the Palaro.

Hayco said they want the contractor to explain their side.

“We want the contractor to verify if why his technical detail did not match with the technical details submitted to him by Obiena. He has to reconcile. The reconciliation here is between Obiena who submitted the international specs of a track oval to the contractor. The contractor has to validate whether she is correct or he is correct or whoever is correct,” Hayco stressed.

Before the interview with The Freeman, Hayco and some technical officials had a meeting concerning the oval.

One of those who attended the meeting told The Freeman the oval itself is standard, but the lines are not.

Another source also showed to The Freeman another measurement of the track oval made yesterday on the inner lane that showed 399-meters and goes 398 on other lanes.

Another observation is on the erasures on the paint even before the Palaro, which accordingly showed that there was indeed a mistake in their markings.

It may look “minor” but the source said, putting paint on top of the old lines will be too slippery for the athletes that the contractor has to re-do the entire surface, if indeed it is short of the international standard measurement.

A third party surveyor is also being suggested, but the city government through the Cebu City Sports Commission has yet to decide on this as of press time.

INDEPENDENT SURVEY

Mendel Surveying Solutions Company owned by Cebu’s former road running king, Engr. Mendel Lopez alongside his wife Engr. Lorhiz Echavez-Lopez had offered to do the independent survey without any cost to the city.

The Lopezes who had also represented Cebu and the region during their prime as an athlete is just waiting for CCSC’s green light.

“Ako, ni offer nako sa akong services (to CCSC chairman John Pages) for free and naghuwat na lang ko kanus-a sila magpa survey,” said Lopez to validate the measurement.

Engr. Mendel said that before the lines were done, he was contacted to do the survey, but was not contacted anew.

In the meantime, while data has yet to be reconciled, any record in athletics track events will not be recognized.A trackster who supposedly broke a record is also keeping his fingers crossed that the said oval is not substandard so he could claim the promised cash incentive from their LGU if they break a Palaro record. (CEBU NEWS)