Leyte spends P80M for Palarong Pambansa hosting

MANILA, Philippines – The Province of Leyte is spending over P80-million for hosting this year’s Palarong Pambansa, an amount that officials considered as a “worthy investment." According to Governor Jericho Petilla, the bulk of the expenses was used for the rehabilitation of sports venues that include the Leyte Sports Development Center in Tacloban City. “We may have spent a big amount but at the end of the day, it will be our youth who will benefit from it because we will be able to provide them the needed venues to improve on their craft," said Petilla. The local government has shelled out P70 million while Partylist An Waray chipped in P10 million for the meet that will be participated in by more than 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who will be the guest of honor in Wednesday’s opening ceremonies, is also expected to make her contribution to this year’s Games. “People will come and go but the venues and the infrastructure we made will stay. We believe Leyte will be a force to reckon with in future local major tournaments because now we have the facilities for our athletes to train in," added explained Petilla. The LSDC, which was used previously when Leyte hosted the 1983 Palaro edition, now boasts of a rubberized track oval and an Olympic size swimming pool, plus an football field with newly-installed lightings that allow night games. Petilla said he envisioned his provincemates to excel in athletics and swimming and fight hard in the other fields. The province is also dangling cash rewards of P15,000 to each athlete and coach who can deliver the gold medals for Leyte in the weeklong tournament. –GMANews.TV