TRACK OVAL. Some of the student-athletes who will participate in the Palarong Pambansa 2024 make use of their time to prepare and practice at the Cebu City Sports Center rubberized track oval on Monday (July 8, 2024). Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said repairs in some portions of the oval are being undertaken in time for Tuesday's (July 9) opening. (Photo courtesy of Palarong Pambansa 2024 - Cebu City Organizing Committee)
CEBU CITY – Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia on Monday ordered the immediate repair of a few minor cracks in the newly refurbished rubberized track oval at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Garcia also shut down proposals and ideas to transfer the venue for the annual multi-sports event involving student-athletes from 17 regions of the Philippines which will formally open on Tuesday (July 9).
President Ferdinand Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte are expected to grace the formal commencement of the Palaro.
“I have already talked to the contractor this morning (Monday) because of the well-meaning netizens who have pointed out that some portions of the rubberized tracks have been compromised… The contractor promised to finish the repair today,” he said in a press conference.
Garcia assured that the damage was manageable as they were just minor scratches.
After the Palaro, the contractor is expected to “do some cosmetic surgery over the rubberized track oval,” before the city government pays for the repair contract.
The contractor, he said, explained to him that there were things that should not have been done that caused the damage, pointing to the vehicles allowed to run at the rubberized track oval to deliver scaffoldings and materials for the stage.
The report said that some tubes used as scaffoldings were thrown out from the vehicles and landed on the rubberized track oval, causing damage.
Garcia reiterated his stand that he would not order the transfer of the event. “There’s no such thing as plan B anymore,” he clarified. (PNA)
