By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The renovation and rehabilitation works inside the provincial government-owned Panaad Park and Stadium continued despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Negros Occidental’s provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, said the installation of chairs and the repair of the track and field oval had already been completed.

Diaz said repairs and renovations have also begun at the park’s swimming pool, covered court, volleyball court, and tennis court.

He said they have recently inspected the completed works at the stadium’s oval and commented that it was already up to “international standards.”

When asked if Negros Occidental will host the 64th Palarong Pambansa, which was supposed to have been held this year, Diaz said they have no word as to when it would be rescheduled.

“I don’t think that Negros Occidental is first province in line, my isa pa ka province and after that kita na,” Diaz said.

Renovation and rehabilitation works of the capitol-run park and stadium began in late 2019.

The renovation of the sports facility was pegged at around P150 million in 2020, with the track and field oval worth P50 million.

The Panaad Park and Stadium also serves as a host for the yearly Panaad sa Negros Festival and has also hosted national and international sporting events such as the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers./DGB, WDJ