CEBU CITY – Cebu City Sports Center will be the final venue for the Palarong Pambansa 2024, acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia declared on Wednesday.
Garcia made the declaration as he pressured contractors to finish the track oval rehabilitation by the end of June, in time for the Palaro which is slated on July 6 to 17.
“I’m happy with what the contractor is doing. We can see that a second layer has been placed on our oval, which is the black rubberized granules. After that will be the third layer, which is orange in color,” the acting mayor said in Cebuano.
Although Garcia hinted that there is no “Plan B” on the Palaro venue, he said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia assured him to help the city make other track ovals in neighboring towns ready.
The governor and other mayors, including Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan, signed a memorandum of collaboration, expressing their readiness to team up with this capital city for the hosting of the Palaro.
Over 12,000 student-athletes nationwide excluding their relatives, friends, and chaperones will be in Cebu City for the Palaro.
Initially, the organizers have been eyeing Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu as co-hosts for games like the sepak takraw, arnis, and other indoor sports.
The Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City is also eyed as the venue for the finals of the Palaro basketball game. (PNA)