'Ondoy' hits newly repaired Ninoy stadium; costs high

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm “Ondoy” did not spare the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping yesterday reported damages to the vast sports complex along Vito Cruz in Manila could reach millions once the full report comes in.

Angping made the rounds of the various facilities of the RMSC the other day, in the aftermath of Ondoy’s fury last Saturday, and saw for himself the extent of damage caused mainly by flooding.

Angping said fortunately no one was hurt.

The Ninoy Aquino Stadium was hardest hit with damage to the flooring. But PSC personnel are trying to patch things up since the NAS is venue to the ongoing Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship.

“We just spent millions for its renovation and now we have to do repairs once again. The Rizal Coliseum was damaged as well, with knee-deep waters covering the basketball court and its ringside section,” said Angping.

Water also forced its way inside the badminton hall as well as the tennis center and the gymnastics venue, which is undergoing renovation.

“People from our engineering department are now preparing a full report on the damage. And if there’s a need for special funding then the Office of the President will be informed,” said the PSC chief.

During yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony at the PSC grounds, he said, “It’s a wake-up call for us not to take nature and the environment for granted. God is sending a strong message that in one move He can destroy us.”