Capiz loses bid to host Palaro 2009
ROXAS CITY – Sports enthusiasts here are dismayed that Capiz province did not win in its bid to host the national Palarong Pambansa 2009.
Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, Sr. said that this province failed to get the chance to be the host of the national games which was awarded to Leyte.
Tanco said that Capiz is well prepared and has manifested its intention to host the Palaro adding that it was also endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC).
Last April this year, Tanco along with Board Member Alfonso Bediones and Manuel Billones, Sen. Mar Roxas's trusted man, visited Puerto Princesa in Palawan where the national games were held. They went to the place and attended the games to observe if Capiz has the capacity to host the games in 2009.
It could be noted that the Villareal Stadium here with its sports facilities which include the track and field oval and basketball courts are all within international standards.
It was learned that Capiz garnered a score of 30; Negros Occidental, 38 and Leyte, 27.50 during the bidding held in Pasig City, Metro Manila wherein Tanco and other provincial personnel were present.
As of late, Leyte has already started constructing its sports facilities in preparation for the national games.
Some political observers here say that the failure of Capiz to win the bid to host the next Palaro was politically motivated. Sen. Mar Roxas, a native of Capiz, who is said to run in the next presidential race in 2010 is a hard critic of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.