‘Substandard work’ noted: Track oval may be closed for repairs

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) rubberized track oval may have to be closed again soon for repairs to finish just in time for the Sinulog 2025.

This developed after City Councilor Jerry Guardo, City Council committee on infrastructure chairman, inspected the facility yesterday following a City Council executive session last week, where the city councilors supposedly agreed to inspect the oval together.

Guardo, though, was not alone as he was accompanied by CCSC Manager Jovito Taburada and representatives of the City’s Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

It also came a day after Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia told a press conference that he would rely on the City Council’s recommendation to determine the direction of the CCSC repairs, particularly on when it should start.

During the inspection, Guardo and his companions walked the entire track oval and assessed the surface damage, while there was ongoing athletic activity on the other side. They also evaluated the materials and closely examined the adhesiveness of the track oval's flooring.

It is immediately visible that the damage is more extensive on the right side of the track when one is facing the grandstand.

In an interview right after the inspection, Guardo recommended the immediate rehabilitation of the track oval. He also assessed that a total replacement of the track oval may be considered, but added that this is up to the wisdom and decision of the city mayor.

Shaun Doherty, owner of SBD Builders, which is the contractor of the track oval rehabilitation for the Palarong Pambansa last July, told the City Council during the executive session last week that they would only repair 60 percent of the track oval since 40 percent is still okay.

Guardo, though, said that following their inspection, they noticed that the 40 percent Doherty referred to is already "vulnerable" so that the best recourse is full repairs.

"Pag check namo didto, nang burot na pud. But not like diri (right side) nga grabe na gyud kayo, ningbakbak na gyud ang rubber," he said.

He added that the adhesiveness of the rubber has also been compromised leading to a tendency of an uneven integrity should only a portion be repaired.

Guardo and the DEPW personnel also checked on the drainage line of the track oval to see its outfall. This was to see if run-off water really goes to the drainage because water could sip under the rubber and weaken its adhesiveness.

Aside from this, Guardo said, they had to look at the asphalt overlay, the layer before the rubber, to also see if it is evenly placed. He said that this is also the concern of City Councilor Joy Young who supervised the first rehabilitation of the track oval back in 1994.

"According sa contractor nga pag-transport sa mga material bitaw nga naay vehicle nga ni-traverse na diri so basin uneven na atong asphalt bitaw so that we have to check on also, kay para gyud even ang surface," the councilor said.

On Doherty's argument that the track oval's surface should not have been compromised with the holding of cultural events, Guardo said that the area being used during the preparation of the cultural events was only on the right side, in front of the grandstand.

Guardo said that portions of the track oval were even covered with plywood to protect its surface.

"But makita nimo nga ang whole area man ang naay burot-burot so I should say nga medyo substandard gyud ang pagkatrabaho," said Guardo.

"So, there might be (something) wrong sa ilang installation," he added.

As the track oval will be refurbished again, Guardo said they would have to consider the contractor's suggestion to avoid compromising the surface of the oval during the mobilization of the materials or even during the preparation of an event.

While it was announced that the Sinulog 2025 Grand Parade will return to CCSC, Guardo said the preparation can be simultaneously done with the track oval repair.

He, however, admitted that it will be a tight schedule to consider since the installation of the rubber will take two weeks while the curing period will last up to a month. Thus, he recommended the immediate start of the repairs for the track oval to be ready in time for the Sinulog.

The councilor said they will have to recommend to the Sinulog committee to build the makeshift stage for the Sinulog ahead of time to avoid a massive operation after the new rubber is installed.

This time, Guardo said, they would keenly monitor the installation to make sure that it is properly executed, particularly on its adhesiveness and the type of materials being used.

"It's about the quality of the material being installed and the adhesiveness niya. So, this has to be checked and then ang proper curing period niya, nga ma-comply gyud ang curing period," he said.

He further recommended that should the construction period begin, the track oval would have to be closed again, as Mayor Garcia had already directed the fast-tracking of the repairs.

Guardo also clarified that the Sinulog preparation, particularly the dancers’ rehearsals, and the track oval civil works may be done simultaneously so that by December the curing period could begin without the dancers already.

"That's enough nga month...after ana maka expect nga maayo na nga quality sa ilang trabaho," he said.

He also recommended that to give more room for the curing period, they could arrange for the rehearsals to be done at the South Road Properties and only the final rehearsals at the CCSC, just in time to wrap up the repairs

On Doherty’s announcement that they would spend P3.8 million straight from their own pockets for the repairs, Guardo said the amount may not be enough.

"We cannot accept nga ing-ani ang deliverables nga we are spending the P50 million budget ‘nya ing-ani ang result," Guardo said.

He said Doherty informed him yesterday that the materials for the repairs have already arrived and that should the mayor give the green light already, SBD could already start working within the week. — (FREEMAN)