Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria on Friday, July 14, announced that his administration will undertake more sporting activities and events to intensify the provincial government’s tourism campaign.
Sagarbarria made this commitment during a press conference at the convention center in Dumaguete City as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is scheduled to hold an out-of-town game in the city this weekend.
“The resumption of the PBA out-of-town games played here will be the start of our endeavor to host or bring in more sporting activities to ramp up efforts to boost our social and economic activities in the province,” Sagarbarria said.
The PBA on Tour 2023 will feature the teams Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Magnolia Chicken Templado Hotshots at the Lamberto Macias Sports Center in Dumaguete on Saturday, July 15.
This would be the first PBA game to be played in Negros Oriental since 2018.
The governor also disclosed in a separate interview that the Capitol spent about P50,000 to improve the basketball court at the Macias Sports Center in compliance with PBA standards.
Sagarbarria said he is planning to acquire a new electronic scoreboard to complete the features for quality basketball games.
Some of the sporting events that he would like to bring to Negros Oriental include national volleyball tournaments and school-based athletic games, such as regional and national competitions.
But the province is open to everyone, he added.
The governor said he is talking to some technical experts as to the possible retrofitting of the swimming pool at the Negros Oriental Aqua Center to meet international standards.
The plans to push sports tourism may require a big budget, but the governor hopes to be able to execute his programs within the next two years. *PNA