City wants its own sports academy

With the additional requisition of a ₱205-million budget for the Palarong Pambansa, Cebu City also envisions having a satellite school of the National Academy for Sports (NAS) that will provide scholarships for athletes, says Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros.

Hontiveros said the long-term plans were already envisioned after the hosting of the Palaro, as the executive department already requested additional funding of ₱205 million on top of the approved budget of ₱200 million.

According to Hontiveros, the current NAS is in New Clark City in Tarlac.

“So imagine, by constructing this facility nato diri…right after kahibaw ta we can present to NAS...we can be satellite school for sports sa Abellana, nga ang nga bata nga in the future for the national games, they don’t have to go to Manila,” said Hontiveros.

It was reported that the executive department of the Cebu City government is requesting an additional ₱205 million budget for the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 which will be invested more in the infrastructure development.

According to Hontiveros, this budget includes at least ₱23 million for the installation of LED outdoor field lights to light up events at night.

It also includes the construction and installation of the digital and visual LED display which would cost more than ₱135 million.

The budget proposal also includes the construction of an extension of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) with an allocation of ₱47 million.

With these developments, Hontiveros said this will elevate the sports scene in the Visayas as student-athletes will have a facility of their own when they are training.

“Kay mao man sad na among i-bid puhon na kita muduol ta sa NAS nga the LGU has the facility to be the board and lodging to the athletes,” said Hontiveros.

Hontiveros, a former athlete himself, said that during their time when they wanted to compete on a national level, they had to travel to Manila to try out.

“But with this improvement sa CCSC… the more nga dali nalang sa mga estudyante,” said Hontiveros.

The additional budget proposal for Palarong Pambansa hosting will be included in the Supplemental Budget 1 that is expected to reach the city council this Wednesday.