The city government under Mayor Benjamin Magalong thru the City Sports Office (CSO) conducted the first ever Baguio Sports Summit, Oct. 11, at Plaza Garden Hotel, here, participated by around 200 of the Summer Capital’s athletes, coaches and other stakeholders.
City sports chief Gaudencio Gonzales said the one-day activity aimed to thresh-out various issues affecting the local sports sector and formulate practical and sustainable solutions to these problems.
Punong barangay and former councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales, gave a brief introduction of the Baguio City Sports Code for which he was its principal author; Paul Rillorta of the CSO talked on the registration process of athletes and coaches, financial assistance, benefits and privileges, and proposed hall of fame project; while asst. city accountant Pedro Sawac Jr. spoke on the scope and application of recognition and incentives.
Funding of the city’s various sports programs was explained by Leopoldo Oviedo of the City Budget Office while resource persons from the City Legal Office and Public Attorney’s Office lectured on Republic Act 10699, City Sports Code, Safe Spaces Act and other related laws.
Participants were given ample time to air their queries, comments, suggestions after each of the lectures.
They were also formed into committees by sporting disciplines where they were asked to write down programs or projects for possible funding. The committees were also directed to select their interim representatives who will be invited to future summits, Gonzales said.
In their messages, councilor Isabelo ‘Popo’ Cosalan and John Rhey Mananeng, both congratulated the athletes and coaches for bringing honor to the city, and expressed their full support for programs that will bolster the welfare of those in the sports sector and strengthen the city’s sports program.-Gaby B. Keith
