There are moves by hidden quarters to transfer the 2013 Palarong Pambansa from Negros Oriental to Negros Occidental.
This was learned from a report filed by the Philippines News Agency in Bacolod, which quoted unnamed sources as saying that the recommendation to move the Palaro to Negros Occidental will be submitted to Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro.
The report said various reasons have been cited for the necessity to transfer the venue of the country’s biggest sporting event, ranging from problems with billeting centers for 25,000 athletes, officials, parents and other guests from 17 regions in the country, to the damage wrought by Typhoon Pablo to the Negros Oriental’s infrastructure and facilities.
It cited a report by the Philippine Ports Authority, saying an initial damage of around P100 million was estimated on various ports in Negros Oriental.
A team of technical personnel including engineers from Manila are yet to determine the extent of the damage brought about by the super typhoon.
Among those damaged were the modern passenger terminal building, the X-ray machine which costs more than P10 million, the new paving block which was constructed at the cost of P50 million, and a portion of the rock causeway at the reclaimed area, the report said.
The unnamed source said the damaged properties will be the priority of the local government of Dumaguete City, thus, made it as among the few reasons about the possible transfer of the Palaro hosting to Negros Occidental.
The report said officials who conducted evaluation and ocular inspections in both Provinces reportedly found Negros Orienttal unprepared to stage the sports competition.
An initial counterpart of P3 million was reportedly set aside by Negros Oriental for the hosting.
However, when reached for comment, Negros Oriental Provincial Administrator Arnel Francisco said he has not heard of any such plan. He also debunked reports of extensive damage in Negros Oriental caused by the typhoon, saying damage was minimal, and will not, in fact, hamper the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa.
Adolf Aguilar, chair of the Department of Education-Negros Oriental’s Multi-Media Committee who was a member of the committee to prepare for the successful bid for the Palarong Pambansa, dismissed the PNA report as mere “wishful thinking” on the part of Negros Occidental.
“The Management Committee meeting for all regional directors is set this January here in Dumaguete with Secretary Luistro presiding. The Technical Committee will also meet here in the second week of January,” Aguilar told the MetroPost.
He added that billeting quarters and sports facilities were not damaged during the typhoon. ”In fact, the Central Visayas Region Athletic Association resumed 12 hours after we were hit by Pablo,” he said.
On the other hand, Paultom Paras, provincial sports coordinator, said a three-member team from the Department of Education came to Negros Oriental Tuesday to inspect the facilities for the Palaro scheduled in April.
He said that in addition to asking for more comfort rooms for the billeting quarters in the public schools, the team also asked for an inventory of equipment needed to improve the infrastructure, such as the addition of playing fields for baseball and softball.
