City Mayor Jane Yap and other city officials mark a historic moment for the City Government of Tagbilaran after they broke ground for the future city coliseum that will rise at barangay Dampas.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Sept. 20, 2022, according to a report from the City Media Bureau.
The lady mayor said that the groundbreaking ceremony was a dream come true and a historic moment for the people of Tagbilaran City.
The Tagbilaran City Coliseum will be a venue to showcase the talents of the Tagbilaranons especially for local, national, and even international conventions.
“Today is a historic moment for all Tagbilaranons. A dream come true, kay mo barug ang Tagbilaran City Coliseum nga mahimong centro sa pag-ugmad sa talento sa mga Tagbilaranons ug Bol-anons pohon [aron] mahimong venue sa mga local, national or international conventions,” the mayor said.
It is known that even as Bohol is a known tourism powerhouse, it is still wanting of facilities that are able to provide venues to huge gatherings such as conventions and even big sporting events like the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games.
Back in those days, it was the town of Calape which used to host grand indoor sporting events such as the PBA.
However, there is no suitable venue for huge conventions, concerts and sporting events in the province and the future coliseum is the one that will answer the need.
Mayor Yap said the project is a product of the support and cooperation of all the various sectors and city officials.
“Produkto ni sa pagtinabangay sa tanan sektor sa atong syudad. Pasalamat ko kaayo kay natuman jud ug nagbunga [ang] atong mga paningkamot,” the mayor quipped.
Moreover, Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Engr. John Gascon, Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala, City Administrator Cathelyn Torremocha, General Services Officer Dr. Chris John Rener Torralba, City Engineer Teodoro Estoque, Engr. Noel Datahan, and Dampas Punong Barangay Edgar Bompat graced the groundbreaking ceremony.
The site of the future coliseum is located near the Tagbilaran City College (TCC).
According to Jala, the future coliseum is envisioned to have a capacity of not less than 5,000 persons.
He added that the city government will not spend a single centavo for the construction of the coliseum as the budget is coming from national government coffers with its implementation to be handled by the DPWH.
NEED FOR VENUES
The city government more often conducts huge activities and such activities are being held at the gymnasium of Bohol Wisdom School or at the Bohol Cultural Center.
In fact, several international boxing events featuring Tagbilaran City’s pride Mark Magsayo were done at the Bohol Wisdom School gymnasium.
The future city coliseum will provide a venue for those who want to come here for conventions and indoor sporting events.
Cebu has the Cebu Coliseum owned by the University of Cebu and Hoops Dome located in Lapu-Lapu City.
Meanwhile, Negros Oriental has the Lamberto Macias Memorial Sports and Cultural Center which can accommodate around 5,000 persons.