CEBU CITY (May 20, 2024) – Capitol and two highly urbanized cities want to help the City promote “sports tourism” during the Palarong Pambansa this July.

Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin N. Garcia. | 📷 PIO / Ruel Rosello

Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin N. Garcia said his meeting with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and the mayors of the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue last week was for the four local government units to work together to promote Cebu to the participants of this year’s Palaro.

He expects more than 20,000 athletes and their parents, guardians and relatives to visit Cebu to witness one of the country’s biggest sports events.

“When you have 20,000 and their families combined come to Cebu City, can you imagine the potential of the tourism that it will bring not only to Cebu City but to the entire province?” Garcia said during a press conference at City Hall this morning.

More to come. Mayor Mike Rama (center, in yellow) speaks to the more than 12,000 athletes and other participants during the culmination activity of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet on May 9. Local police expect that participants of the Palarong Pambansa in July could exceed that of the CVIRAA. 

Tour packages

The acting mayor said the city’s partnership with the Province and the two cities aimed to coordinate on how they can create tourism packages or discounts exclusive to Palaro athletes and their loved ones.

Garcia said Palaro participants are expected to not just stay in Cebu for the sports events but also the tourism sites.

Whale Shark watching in Oslob, southern Cebu. | 📷 Serene Oasis Resort

“After ana (sa Palaro), asa man sila padung? Gusto na sila moadto og Oslob to seek the (whale) sharks. Gusto sila moadto sa Bantayan para maligo og dagat or sa Camotes o’ sa Lapu-Lapu for the beaches,” he added.

Garcia said his aunt and Mayors Junard “Ahong” Chan of Lapu-Lapu City and Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City have offered to provide potential venues where the some of the sports events can be held.

Collaboration, Cooperation. Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin N. Garcia (third from left) meets with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and other Cebu officials to discuss how they can provide tourism packages to Palaro athletes and their entourage. With them are (from left) Provincial Board Glenn Anthony Soco, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan and Acting Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros. | 📷 PIO / Ruel Rosello

“Wala pami naghisgot sa mga events, though niingon na sila nga mo-host og events. We are open about it. But it is for another day, another topic,” he added.| RMN / jkv

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