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BY JUN ESCALONA
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Thursday, March 16, 2017
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YES DEFINITELY, this year’s Palaro will be held in Antique from April 23 to 29, after a stiff competition with Dumaguete City ended up in favor of our province.
Now, preparations are in full swing, and about 90 percent completed, according to Antique governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, with Semirara Mining and Power Corp. in support, and is now halfway in the rehabilitation of the EBJ Sports Center’s rubberized track oval. The facility is said to cost SMPC about P30 million, with the materials procured from Spain, according to the Taiwanese engineer in charge of the project.
The project works include the refurbishing of the asphalt base with concrete and they are now in the stage of spreading manually the rubber granules to assure a uniform spread and consistency. It is expected to be completed in seven to 14 days. It will also have a lifespan of between 30 to 50 years and will be ready by the middle of March, way ahead of the April 23 games.
This would lay to rest the apprehension of critics, particularly those who wish that the preparations will go awry so that the leadership of our new provincial government will be placed in an embarrassing situation.
But they will be dismayed because the playing venues and billeting quarters are now being refurbished or refurnished already with adequate facilities and amenities to, as much as possible, meet the requirements of visiting delegations distributed among 30 schools in five towns from Bugasong, Belison, Sibalom, San Jose, and Hamtic.
Playing venues are also distributed in six towns, namely Bugasong, Patnongon, Sibalom, San Jose, Hamtic, and the capital town of San Jose having the most schools with adequate play areas and playing venues.
PIA provincial chief Vicente Villavert, in a radio program interview, said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is tasked to chair the food security committee in the duration of the games. Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Fernando Corvera in fact introduced a resolution, not an ordinance we suppose, imploring and encouraging cattle, hog and poultry dealers and producers to save their stocks for the big event just so there will be ample supply of food for the estimated 20 to 25 thousand guests.
He said the spirit of the ordinance is to get their cooperation for the national games first to be held in Antique, and not to kill the law of supply and demand, or prevent small animal producers from selling their animals to fill their needs, as alleged by critical quarters.
In a radio interview, Department of Education’s (DepEd) Assistant Secretary Umali stressed that he is proud to observe that all the playing venues and billeting schools are busily being augmented with additional amenities in satisfying the requirements of the playing areas and billeting of delegations.
When asked to rate the degree of preparations in a scale of from one to 10, he said he is confident that organizers are nearing the rate of 10.
Aside from being satisfied with the preparations, he said the guests will be glad to see the beautiful sites in the province, and commented that he is glad that DepEd has chosen Antique to host the Palaro because of its enthusiastic leaders and appropriate playing venues.
He also announced that President Duterte is definitely coming, and is glad that security preparations for the big event are in place, with the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in coordination. He also spoke about the addition of more sports, particularly during the opening ceremonies. This will include aerial gymnastics and dance sports, among others.
Provincial officials, on the other hand, said a committee is also tasked to coordinate with transport groups to meet the requirements of the delegations and to get the cooperation of tricycle owners and drivers to ensure that visitors may not be subjected to abusive charges and unwholesome behavior.
Atty. Arthur Lastimoso, provincial legal officer, has been designated by Governor Cadiao as Palarong Pambansa Organizing Committee chair./PN
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