City government, DepEd say Palaro preps at 99.9 percent

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government and the Department of Education are at 99.9 percent in their preparations for the much-awaited Palarong Pambansa 2024.

This was according to Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who said that they continue to check the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), which is the main venue, as well as the billeting quarters of the players.

Garcia said the venues are complete infrastructure-wise, and they only have the “nitty-gritty” details to attend to for the event set on July 6-16, 2024.

“Because if you look at the infrastructure, humana naman gyud,” said Garcia in a press conference yesterday morning, July 1, 2024.

On the other hand, after heavy downpour yesterday, flooding was experienced in some areas of the CCSC, including the parking and canteen area.

During the blessing and inauguration of the CCSC’s newly refurbished rubberized track oval last week, some expressed concern to The Freeman on the contractor’s building of a drainage around the oval when it was not needed.

They feared that such drainage would end up flooding the offices below the grandstand.

Following yesterday’s flooding incident, CCSC manager Jovito Taborada, in an interview with The Freeman, said the water came into the multi-purpose area/gym as the downspout got clogged up.

“Ang downspout sa taas nasampungan. Okay na…dali ra. Wala malimpyuhi sa contractor,” Taborada said.

Minor flooding was also experienced in the entrance leading to the dancesports area and part of the canteen below the grandstand reportedly due to garbage and soil build up following the construction of some areas of the CCSC.

“Gibiyaan mi dirig walay pananghid (by the contractor),” Taborada lamented.

Taborada, however, said their personnel managed to clear it up and the water subsided right away.

City Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the Technical Infrastructure Committee and also overseer of the City’s Department of Engineering and Public Works and Gubat sa Baha, said they will check the area around CCSC and do some declogging before the Palaro set July 9 to 16.

Guest list

Meanwhile, Garcia they are now focusing on the little details of the programs alongside its sequence.

Garcia shared that they are now finalizing the list of invited guests for the sports event, including President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.

He assured that the city government is prepared for their arrival, whom he added are scheduled to speak during the opening ceremony.

“So we will be expecting very strict security,” said Garcia.

Also, he reiterated that since the Palarong Pambansa 2024 is a public event, suspended mayor Michael Rama is welcome to join. He added they will be extending an invitation for him to formalize their openness for the gathering.

Security

Over 1,500 police personnel will be deployed by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 for the Palarong Pambansa.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson for PRO-7 Regional Director Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, assured that all areas will be secured, including the venues for the games, the billeting area for the delegates, and places that may be visited by the athletes, coaching staff and their families.

“Kanang ato-ang gi-estimate nga 12,000 nga participants, that will actually double the number kay naa man nay mga kuyog usually sila unya kining tanan atong gi-consider,” said Lt. Col. Pelare. — (FREEMAN)