“Two-meter short: Palaro coaches lament substandard Cebu track oval”, “DepEd officials to probe Palaro 2024 track oval measurements”, and “Track oval 1.5 meter short”. These are screaming headlines! But let us talk about this later.
First, let me say that the Cebu City Government’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 was successful overall. Credit must be given where credit is due.
According to reports, suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama worked hard to ensure that Cebu City would host the national event after 30 years. Other local government units were also interested in holding this year’s Palarong Pambansa in their respective areas.
"We should make it happen and in the name of Santo Niño we should be united in this activity," Rama said. It is also to his credit that Rama did not impose his presence during the event's opening and closing ceremonies. During this time, he was already serving the preventive suspension order against him. It would have been an uncomfortable stir on the part of his opponents had he done otherwise.
Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia needed to steer the event to success. And he made it. My warmest congratulations to him!
I would also like to congratulate the Department of Education, the coaches, and the athletes. I commend the police for the security they provided to all stakeholders and the Cebu Provincial Government for their extensive help, especially during the closing ceremony. Cebu was able to showcase the different festivals and cultures.
But there are things that we should not ignore; otherwise, it will mean tolerating incompetence, if not outright corruption. And I am referring to the substandard track oval.
Commissioner Edward Hayco of of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) said that the oval is only 398.5 meters, not 400 meters.
As usual, all fingers are pointed towards the contractor. “He has to intervene kay para matarong na g’yud ang atoang oval,” acting Mayor Garcia said, referring to the consultant. Nobody knows what he meant.
An independent investigation into this is in order.
So far, what we have heard from City Hall are statements that are not reassuring. This standard "we look into it" response tires the public. Words do not scare unscrupulous individuals. It's swift and decisive action that spells the difference.
We have this tendency to address problems in a funny way. Look at the way we address the public criticism of the lampposts built in the middle of Osmeña Boulevard. But they are to be reinstalled later. So, why remove them in the first place? Just to placate the public?
Lately, the consultant has spoken, saying that the marking of the line was already under the Palaro organizers’ job! There you are!
So, who is the next person to blame?