The newly inaugurated Sorsogon Sports Arena (SSA) will give the Philippines a big boost amid its quest for Olympic glory, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday.

In his keynote speech during the inauguration of the SSA in Sorsogon City, Marcos said the PHP1.2 billion sports facility will serve as a training camp for Filipino athletes joining national and international competitions.

He said the SSA is crucial in empowering the athletes and maximizing their potential.

“Ito po ay isang mahalagang hakbang upang maitaguyod natin ang ating mga kababayan na may angking galing sa larangan ng palakasan. Sa tulong nito, mabibigyan sila ng pagkakataon upang mahasa pa ang kanilang mga talent (This is an important step so that we can promote our countrymen who have talent in the field of sports. Through this, they will be given the opportunity to further hone their talents),” Marcos said.

“Tulad din ng mga Olympians natin na lumahok nitong 2024 sa Paris Olympics, hangarin natin sa pamamagitan ng arena na ito, lalo pang dumami ang mga kababayan natin na magbibigay ng dangal sa ating bansa (Just like our Olympians who participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics, let us hope that through this arena, more of our countrymen would bring our country honor).”

The President mentioned sprinter Isidro Del Prado of Cagang village in Barcelona, Sorsogon who competed in the 400-meter event in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Prado, who held the 400-meter record in Philippine athletics, had demonstrated courage, resilience, and determination during the Olympic competition, he said, noting that these are the characteristics that bind Filipinos.

Patterned after Rome’s famous Colosseum landmark, the SSA, situated at the heart of Sorsogon City, is part of the 7.1-hectare Sorsogon Sports Complex.

The SSA was initially intended for the province’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in 2021. It has a seating capacity of 12,000 and can accommodate up to 20,000 for full-house sports activities, making it capable of hosting local and international events.

The SSA also has various amenities, such as an Athletics Oval and a three-story facility that can accommodate athletes and guests in its 139 rooms, including 39 dorm-type rooms with 560-bed capacity.

It has two infirmaries, an eight-lane rubberized track and field area, and a huge space for other sporting events.

Marcos said the sports arena also has multiple functions, as it could also be used for holding summits, concerts, and other competitions.

More projects

Meanwhile, Marcos pledged that more programs and projects would be undertaken in the province under his watch as he touted several projects in the province as examples of his administration’s fulfilled goals of providing the public with easy access to government services and creating more investment opportunities.

He cited that the Sorsogon National Government Center was launched to serve as a one-stop shop government center that facilitates improved and faster services.

He also mentioned the Sampaloc Tenement, a housing project backed by both local and national governments to provide beneficiaries from Sampaloc village in Sorsogon City with safe and secured shelters.

Palarong Pambansa 2027

Meanwhile, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced that Sorsogon is gunning to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2027.

“Kasya ang mahigit-kumulang na 54,000 na katao kung pupunuin pati ‘yung grounds ng arena. Ito ang pinakamalaking venue sa buong Bicol region at marahil nasa top 10 sa buong Pilipinas (Around 54,000 people can be accommodated if the grounds of the arena will also be filled. This is the largest venue in the entire Bicol region and probably in the top 10 in the entire Philippines). This is something indeed to be proud of,” he said in a statement.

Escudero said he will also seek the Philippine Sports Commission’s approval to make the massive facility a national sports training camp considering that the Sorsogon Sports Complex has a geographical advantage.

“Ngayon nasa Baguio, nasa norte. Malayo sa Visayas, malayo sa Mindanao. Sorsogon is in the Southernmost tip of Luzon, medyo nasa gitna. Dito lang kumpleto ang facilities at lahat ay pag-aari ng (Now it’s in Baguio, in the north. Far from the Visayas, far from Mindanao. Sorsogon is in the southernmost tip of Luzon, somewhat in the middle. Only here are the facilities complete and all owned by the) Department of Education (DepEd),” he said.

With the continued support of the Marcos administration, Escudero believes that Sorsogon will be able to accomplish more in the years to come. (PNA)