5,000 Cordi school athletes, DepEd execs set for CARAA

Athletic Bowl readied

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY - Barring hitches in the contractor’s timetable, the Baguio Athletic Bowl will be ready for the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) meet with its tartan track oval and all. 

Some 5,000 athletes and officials from different Cordillera schools are expected to attend the event slated Feb. 6. 10.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Wednesday said this was the assurance made by project contractor R.U. Aquino Development and Construction Corporation during the coordination meeting for the CARAA event. “The contractor committed to place the final coating for the rubberized track on January 23 and then the painting and curing for five to seven days.  If the schedule is followed, it will be ready for the Feb. 6 opening of the CARAA,” the mayor said.

He said they will have another coordination meeting before the event to finalize the preparations and they expect to draw up the guidelines for the use and protection of the newly installed track by that time.

Other venues of the various sporting events are also being prepared to ensure that the games will be played smoothly and orderly. 

The mayor earlier directed concerned departments to take charge of sprucing up the venues and ensure readiness of required personnel, security, logistics and other provisions.

The mayor tapped city parks management officer Cordelia Lacsamana, city engineering officer-in-charge Elpidio Garabiles, city building and architecture officer Nazita Banez, city administrator Carlos Canilao, city health officer Dr. Rowena Galpo, Emergency Medical Service director Dr. John Tinoyan, city general services officer and acting city police director Rolando Miranda for the tasks.

He particularly sought the improvement and rehabilitation of the Melvin Jones Football Grounds and Archery Range, reservation of the playing venues, swimming pool, football field, the Baguio Convention Center and others.

He said security personnel should be on hand throughout the event starting from the opening program and at the various billeting centers and playing venues. 

Medical personnel will also be deployed complete with ambulances and medical equipment and paraphernalia.

The mayor also stressed the need to fast-track the procurement of all materials and equipment needed for the events to ensure that these will be ready in time for the sports meet.

City sports development officer Gaudencio Gonzales said the city allotted P4 million for the sports activity.

The sporting event is again expected to draw the participation of over 5,000 athletes and delegates from the five provinces and two cities of the region.