29/10/2026
PSC exec vows support for sports dev’t in Bago
Expressing confidence in the potential of the city and its athletes, the top official of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has vowed to support the development of sports in Bago.
PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, in an interview with The Citybridge on the sidelines of his visit to Bago City on Wednesday, October 28, outlined some of the government's plans for local sports development.
Gregorio said there’s an opportunity for collaboration with the local government unit, such as coming up with a regional training center so that the national government can help Bago City, specifically in upgrading sports facilities here.
“Hopefully, with the support of the mayor and the people of Bago, we can rehabilitate your boxing coliseum starting the first quarter of 2027,” Gregorio said, adding that the collaboration will also pave the way for the development of the track and tennis court at the city’s Sports Center.
The top PSC official, together with Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) President Marcus Manalo, conducted an ocular inspection of the ABAP Gym located in Barangay Poblacion.
They were welcomed by Councilor Robert Javellana, City Legal Officer Edward Joseph Cuansing, City Administrator Engr. Edwin de Nicolas, Bago City Sports Office Head Peregrin Vasquez, Head Coach Larry Semillano, and Executive Assistant to the Mayor Jobert Tagobader.
Gregorio, who was the former secretary general of ABAP, said he is, in fact, familiar with the facility.
“We are here to support the initiative of the city. Let’s start with the boxing, track, tennis, and then the other sports. Before you know it, we will have already rehabilitated the facilities here in Bago,” he said, adding that having the regional training hub for boxing in Negros is a good start.
Saying the city is on the right path, the PSC official also lauded the initiative of Mayora Mayette Javellana in pushing for grassroots sports development in the city.
“It’s the program of the PSC – from grassroots to gold, from gold to greatness,” Gregorio said, adding that “it’s a perfect alignment and we just have to see the all-out support of the local officials.”
He pointed out that Bago is already part of the sports history of the Philippines, but it is time to grow not only in boxing but also in other sports.
“Kasama na kayo sa history, balik na lang naton ‘yun at gawin natin ‘yun kaagad. We will do that right away,” Gregorio added.
PHOTO: PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio with ABAP President Marcus Manalo, Councilor Robert Javellana, City Legal Officer Edward Joseph Cuansing, City Administrator Engr. Edwin de Nicolas, Bago City Sports Office personnel led by Peregrin Vasquez, and Senior Tourism Operations Officer Mae Ann Furtos at the Bantayan Park, on the sidelines of his visit to Bago City on Wednesday, October 28.
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