Rama wants only 3-hectare sports hub

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has said he wants to allocate a three-hectare lot at the South Road Properties for a one-stop sports hub, instead of the original plan of having 10.6 hectares.

Rama instructed SRP Management Office Chief Roberto Varquez to talk with the proponents of the proposed ordinance seeking to establish a 10.6 hectare sports facility at the reclamation area.

He said he asked Varquez to look for a three-hectare area near the Bigfoot Properties at the SRP for the sports hub.

City Councilors Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Mary Ann delos Santos and Nendell Hanz Abella proposed an ordinance to earmark a 10-hectare lot of the reclaimed area for one-stop sports hub that would cater local and international sports competition like basketball, soccer, track and field, gymnastics, lawn tennis, swimming, volleyball, baseball, among others.

“The mayor is not against, but master plan has to be considered and sure enough that the mayor would want three-hectare because that is something right now we can think about that is manageable,” Rama said, adding that he can guarantee a three-hectare permanent sports hub for now.

He said there is a possibility that the three-hectare will increase depending on the success of the sports hub in the provided space.

He said one of the reasons why he will not allow a bigger space for a sports hub is that he is concerned of the future traffic situation in SRP.

With this, he would want the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management to conduct a transportation impact study for the SRP.

He added that the sports facility should be within the Bus Rapid Transit route so that people going there will not be bringing their own cars anymore.

“As of now, a three-hectare is sure,” he said. But when asked if the proponents will disagree, he said that the executive department will be the one to approve.

Rama pointed his main reason for disallowing a 10-hectare lot, saying that SRP was envisioned to generate thousands of jobs for Cebuanos.

He said there is an investor who also wishes to put up a stadium that could be established as multi-sports functional center.

During the public hearing last Wednesday, sports community has expressed support for a 10-hectare lot to establish a world-class sports hub.

However, Varquez said there is an investor who signified to make an IT hub in the area which is one of the possible sources of funds for the next year’s annual budget.

Rama and Varquez shared the same sentiments that SRP is to generate 80,000 jobs for the residents of the city. — (FREEMAN)