ILOILO – The provincial government has allotted P1.1 million to upgrade the comfort rooms at the Iloilo Sports Complex’s covered gym in Barangay Magsaysay, La Paz, Iloilo City as part of a broader push to transform the underutilized facility into a world-class sports venue.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the retrofitting is aligned with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s vision to create a cleaner, safer, and more conducive environment for athletes and the public.
Banias, along with Iloilo Sports Development and Management Office head Dr. Janelyn Fundal and Supervising Administrative Officer Ray Cabarles, personally inspected the upgraded restrooms on June 27.
The newly renovated facilities now feature modern fixtures and improved designs, underscoring the provincial government’s commitment to elevating the complex’s standards for sports and community events.
Banias encouraged athletes and gym-goers to utilize the upgraded comfort rooms, saying they are part of efforts to enhance comfort and functionality at the provincial facility.
Meanwhile, Governor Defensor earlier expressed openness to redeveloping the Iloilo Sports Complex through a public-private partnership (PPP), citing high maintenance costs and low day-to-day usage.
“It’s not heavily used on a daily basis. It’s full only when Barangay Health Workers gather or during election rallies,” said Defensor. “So again, it does not earn money. We spent a lot on maintenance. It looks like something that is very good for a PPP. We need a world-class arena here in the province and city of Iloilo.”
While the PPP plan remains in its early stages, the governor emphasized that any redevelopment should retain government ownership to ensure accessibility for state colleges and universities. Sports programs currently housed at the facility must also continue under any future agreement.
Defensor clarified that the PPP proposal is still preliminary and would require thorough studies before moving forward./PN
