DUMAGUETE CITY, June 17 (PIA)--Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental has requested a total of P46 million from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the upgrading of the two major sports venues in preparation the 12th Association of Southeast Asian School Games slated in November 2020.

Both the city of Dumaguete and province of Negros Oriental has asked the PSC P36 million for the upgrade of Perdices Coliseum and P 10 million for the Lorenzo G. Teves Memorial Aqua Center, all to ensure that these sports venues pass the international standards.

Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo and Governor Roel Degamo reiterated their joint commitment to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones to host the annual games participated in by the elite student athletes in the 10 member countries of ASEAN.

The estimated costs were based on the ocular inspections conducted by a team of engineers from the provincial government, PSC and DepEd.

It is noted that the rubberized track will have to be totally replaced and other facilities must be upgraded while the aqua center will be fitted with touch pads, among other improvements.

Some 2,500 student-athletes from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia will compete in athletics, swimming, badminton, volleyball, sepak takraw, table tennis, beach volleyball and basketball.

Hosting this international event affirms the position of Dumaguete City as an emerging sports tourism hub of the Philippines with the strong partnership of the provincial government under Governor Degamo.

It is expected that practically all the major hotels in Dumaguete City and resorts in Dauin will accommodate the guests and their stay will prove to be a boom to the local economy as the international athletes, coaches and their supporters would spend almost P500 million during their stay and subsequent tours of the tourism destinations of the province and Central Visayas Region. (jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental with reports from Dems Demecillo)