By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Uswag Ilonggo Party-list is making a significant investment in the province’s sports sector by allocating ₱80 million for the improvement of the Sports Complex Facility in Passi City.
Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Congressman James Ang Jr. emphasized the need for better facilities, noting that many athletes from various towns in the province must travel to Iloilo City for practice due to a lack of local sports venues.
“We want each district to have a sports complex facility so that when there are district meets or other events, the district is prepared and has a place for the youth. They won’t need to go far for training,” he said during the complex’s groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, August 19.
In addition to the ongoing project in Passi City, similar sports facilities have already broken ground at the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology in Barotac Nuevo, as well as in Janiuay and Pavia.
The upgrades in Passi City include the construction of a 400-meter track and field facility, featuring a 50 mm thick asphalt overlay and a modern rubberized playing surface. Improvements will also be made to the existing grandstand, and a new perimeter fence will be installed for better security and aesthetics.
The existing sports complex was constructed in 2018, during the administration of former Passi City mayor and now Department of Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Jesry Palmares. Ang stated that upon the project’s completion, the city’s sports complex will become the first rubberized track oval outside of Iloilo City.
Passi City Mayor Atty. Stephen A. Palmares emphasized that this development not only elevates local sports infrastructure but also positions Passi City as a potential host for major sporting events in the future.
“Passi City could host, the 4th district could host the provincial meet. In my lifetime, I have never witnessed a provincial meet being held outside of Iloilo City,” he said.
Ang also announced plans to further expand the complex with the addition of an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Palmares stated that the additional facilities in the complex would not only cater to local athletes but also position Passi City as a contender to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2027.
He also revealed that the party-list has pledged ₱10 million for the construction of a regional office for the Boy Scouts of the Philippines in Passi City and an additional ₱15 million for the ongoing construction of the city’s finance building.
Fourth District Rep. Ferjenel “Dr. Ferj” Biron, who committed to adding ₱32 million to the complex, said his district is privileged to have such infrastructure projects as promised by the party-list during the campaign.
“With the solid partnership between the district leadership and the leadership under Uswag, we expect more projects, we expect more significant infrastructures,” he said.
On the same day, the Uswag Ilonggo Party-list also distributed ₱10,000 each to 385 students in the fourth district as part of its educational assistance program.
Also present at the event was Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, who represented Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., as well as DPWH and DSWD officials as project partners.
