No probe made into track oval issue

CEBU, Philippines — No formal investigation was launched to find out who is accountable for the lining discrepancies of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) track oval, says acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Garcia made this clarification after the Cebu City Council passed a resolution urging the mayor's office to submit a result of the investigation as they want to seek justice for the athletes whose results are nullified due to the substandard track oval.

In her privilege speech during the council's regular session last July 24, 2024, Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos spoke about to the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa, congratulating the city for the event’s success.

However, despite the successful culmination, de los Santos emphasized that one mishap must be addressed. She highlighted the importance of identifying gaps and errors to ensure the successful hosting of more sporting events in the future

She filed another resolution which requested the office of acting Mayor Garcia to provide the result of the investigation on the “critical error” faced during the Palarong Pambansa 2024.

De los Santos specifically wants clarification on CCSC’s substandard track oval issue, which was the primary venue for sporting events that, to her, has become a source of "embarrassment" to the city.

According to de los Santos, the media cannot be blamed for highlighting such a critical error, which revealed that the track oval's lining fell short of its standard.

Because of this, at least 11 records of the Palarong were not recognized, impacting 19 athletes from different regions.

In a press conference yesterday, Garcia said that they did not conduct an investigation into the matter.

"First of all, we did not really conduct a formal investigation on the matter," Garcia said, explaining that if the government asks the contractor, the contractor would just "blame it on the marker."

"But the marker will just say, technical committee man nihatag namo sa specifications, nisunod raman mi sa specifications, why blame us?" said Garcia, reiterating the justifications of the contractor.

Garcia, however, said that they will still get to the bottom of the issue, adding that the technical committee is supposed to be composed of experts with some members of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), particularly Jeanette Obiena, the Palaro's technical consultant.

He admitted that he was confused that it was Obiena who said that the oval was substandard when in fact it was she who oversaw the markings.

"Anyway, ang ako lang ba, di na nato ni tas-on, move on na gyud ta," he said.

According to Garcia, they already gave out instructions that the track oval will be refurbished once the hosting of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024 concludes on August 25, 2024, which will be done at the CCCS.

As the track oval will undergo another wave of major repair, Garcia said they will invite an independent surveyor to supervise the lining to make sure that such discrepancies will not happen again.