The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has donated 20 tower lights to Puerto Princesa City, which plans to install them at its sports complex to allow football and other activities to continue at night.
City Sports Director Atty. Gregorio “Rocky” Austria said Wednesday that the lighting equipment had already been delivered after the PSC replaced the lights at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“Nangailangan tayo ng tower lights. Binigyan tayo 20 piraso na tower lights. Mahal din ang halaga noon,” Austria said.
“Kasi nagpalit sila ng tower lights doon sa Rizal Memorial. Yung 20 piraso, pinadala dito sa atin. Sila pa ang gumastos ng pamasahe hanggang nakarating dito,” he added.
Austria said the lights are now under the custody of the City Engineer’s Office. The city, however, still needs to provide poles suitable for the football field.
“Ang kailangan natin, iyong poste na mailalagay. Kailangan mataas kasi iyong poste para hindi masisilaw iyong mga nagpo-football,” he said.
The city sports director said lighting the football field would support the development of the sport in Puerto Princesa and allow residents to use the sports complex beyond daytime hours.
“Pag napailawan natin iyon, mapapalakas natin iyong football dito sa Puerto Princesa at iba pang mga sports facilities,” Austria said.
“Dahil maliwanag iyong area, maraming mahihikayat doon na kahit nanggabi, pupunta doon para gamitin iyong sports facilities,” he added.
The donation forms part of the PSC’s assistance to Puerto Princesa as the city expands its sports programs and hosts local, national and international competitions.
Austria said the city government allows Puerto Princesa residents to use its sports facilities for free. Free Zumba sessions are also held at the sports complex as part of efforts to encourage physical activity.
“Ang sabi nga ni Mayor [Lucilo Bayron], lahat ng mga taga-Puerto, sa paggamit ng facilities, libre lahat para sa mga taga-Puerto,” he said.
Austria said the city welcomes the increasing use of its sports facilities because regular physical activity can help residents remain fit and reduce health risks.
“Masaya kami na nakikita na ginagamit iyong sports facilities kasi that’s one way of keeping fit,” he said. “Ibig sabihin, conscious iyong mga tao dito na kailangan physically fit ka.”
“So maganda sa health iyon. Kasi kung active iyong mga tao dito, medyo malayo-layo nang kaunti iyong mga sakit. Iyon din ang gusto natin,” he added.
Apart from improving its facilities, Puerto Princesa is preparing for several sports-related activities during the remaining months of the year.
Austria said the city expects a visit from the PSC chairman on September 6, followed by a possible Youth and Sports Summit seminar the next day. The activity is expected to include discussions on sports broadcasting, digital platforms and technology in sports.
A Puerto Princesa delegation is also expected to travel to Malaysia in November for a friendship competition involving Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. The city previously hosted the regional friendship games two years ago.
Puerto Princesa will also send a delegation to the Batang Pinoy national youth games in December.
Austria discussed the projects as Puerto Princesa prepared to host the World Table Tennis Youth Contender for the fourth time and the country’s first WTT Feeder Series for senior players.
The youth tournament is expected to draw participants from at least 20 countries, while athletes from another group of about 20 countries are expected for the feeder competition.
Austria said Puerto Princesa is developing its identity not only as a tourist destination but also as a venue for major sporting events.
The city recently received two sports tourism awards, including recognition as an emerging sports tourism destination and as a government organizer of sporting events.
Austria said the awards, international tournaments, planned competitions and improvements to public sports facilities reflect the direction being taken by the city.
“Masaya tayo na nangyayari iyong mga ganoon,” he said.
