LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Some 350 million pesos had been included in this year’s P5.024 trillion annual budget of the national government for the put up of a world-class swimming pool at the Wangal Sports Complex and the further improvement of the closed gymnasium within the province’s sports facility.
Benguet Caretaker Congressman and Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list Rep. Eric Yap disclosed that P300 million will be set aside for the construction of the swimming pool with heater and its corresponding bleachers while the P50 million will be used to continue the improvement of the closed gymnasium and its premises to entice organizers to conduct their activities in the said facility.
Last year, some P190 million was allocated for the continuous upgrading of the Wangal Sports Complex where P165 million was used for the put up of the rubberized track oval while P25 million was used to improve the closed gymnasium to conform with international standards for the conduct of indoor games.
The lawmaker stated he reminded the implementing agency to ensure these projects conform with the project standards and specifications and whatever mistakes in the implementation of similar projects by other local governments will not be repeated in the case of the province.
He pointed out that the completion of the upgrading of the Wangal Sports Complex facilities will definitely make Benguet one of the hosts of prestigious local, regional, national and international sports competitions to help establish the province’s identity as a potential sports hub in the north that will be able to contribute in gradually and safely reviving the heavily impacted economy.
According to him, Benguet is a well-known producer of young and upcoming talents in the various fields of individual and team sports over the past several decades that brought honor and pride to the province because of their performances in their respective fields.
The put up of the Wangal Sports Complex was envisioned by the late Rep. Nestor B. Fongwan, Sr. during his incumbency as the governor where the provincial government had been earmarking funds for the staggered completion of the facilities.
Women, child and family rights advocate Marie Rose ‘Betbet’ Fongwan-Kepes, eldest daughter of the late Rep. Fongwan, hailed the efforts of Yap in continuing the improvement of the Wangal Sports Complex and in completing its standard sports facilities as he this will be realize the vision of her father for Benguet having its world class sports complex for the development of young sports enthusiasts from the different parts not only of the province but also of the Cordillera.
Ms. Fongwan-Kepes stipulated that her father envisioned to establish a premier sports facility for the province but the inadequate funds of the provincial government compelled the former father of the province to make do with what is available to start the development of the Wangal Sports Complex as the province’s main sports facility for the conduct of the various levels of sports competitions until Yap infused the needed funds to boost its development beneficial in the overall growth of sports in Benguet.