Provincial swimming pool to be improved next year
By Erwin S. Batnag
Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Provincial Government of Mountain Province is set to improve the swimming pool facility of the province.
Governor Leonard G. Mayaen announced during the lately concluded Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting that among the approved infrastructure projects for 2016 is the rehabilitation of the provincial swimming pool at the Bilibid Compound. He said that a considerable amount was earmarked to address the upgrading of the pool to a standard size and to solve the perennial problem of lack of water supply.
Mayaen said that the provincial government has decided to turn the existing pool into a standard swimming facility to cater to the athletic concerns of the province. He added that this is also one of the steps in preparation for future challenges of hosting the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) in the province wherein all of the events can be held in the capital town.
It could be recalled that the Provincial swimming pool was built in year 2000 in the exigency of the holding of the first CARAA meet in the province. Said swimming pool used to be a fish pond manned by the Department of Agriculture.
In the latest Provincial School Board (PSB) meeting, DepEd authorities informed the PSB body of DepEd’s decision to hold this year’s provincial swimming events at Bulanao,Tabuk, Kalinga for the following reasons: 1. Presence of standard sized swimming pools in our neighboring province; 2. Water temperatures of said pools are more conducive to our swimmers; and 3. Many residents of Tabuk who hail from Mountain Province are willing to accommodate our athletes during the competition.
In this regard, the governor assured the provincial government’s support to DepEd’s decision by offering to handle the transportation expense of all athletes and coaches to and from the venue.
“While inter-school and inter-province athletic fests are part of DepEd’s curriculum, the Provincial Government remains true and steadfast in its stance to be supportive of DepEd’s undertakings in its limited capacity. This is one way of ensuring that our children gets ample support from all stakeholders and are equipped with the maximum amount of training they deserve,” Gov. Mayaen said.
Meanwhile, DepEd also disclosed that the training venue for swimmers who will be competing in the 2016 regional athletic meet will also be in Tabuk.
