Citing safety risks and technical failures that have sidelined local athletes for over a year, the Baguio City Council launched a formal inquiry last week into the stalled rehabilitation of the city’s major sports venues.
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President John Rhey Mananeng demanded answers regarding the city’s swimming pool, which has sat 70% complete but dormant since 2025, according to a recent report by the Baguio City Council Public Information Office.
City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) head Arch. Johnny Degay testified that work was halted after a typhoon compromised an adjacent access road, warning that proceeding with finishing works without a P10 million retaining wall could lead to a structural collapse.
The instability has created a domino effect, contributing to a nearly 10% delay in the construction of a nearby outdoor sports facility and wall-climbing structure, added the city council PIO.
While that project is roughly 78% finished, Degay noted that the damaged road was the primary link between the facility and the Youth Convergence Center, complicating site access and long-term connectivity.
Internal friction surfaced over the swimming pool’s operational status, specifically regarding inconsistent water temperatures.
While the City Administrator’s Office argued that “learn-to-swim” participants can opt out if the water is too cold, Councilor Joel Alangsab countered that competitive athletes are forced to train in substandard conditions to remain in peak form.
City Sports Office representative Paul Rillorta revealed that only three of the pool’s five heat pumps are currently functional.
Although P14 million has been earmarked for upgrades, the project is stuck in the pre-bidding phase awaiting technical documents from the CBAO.
Officials estimate the heating system won’t be fully restored until 2027, though Rillorta maintained the facility still meets international dimensions for athlete preparation.
Addressing the long-delayed Youth Convergence Center, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan pressed for a definitive timeline as the project enters another round of bid evaluations.
Olowan warned that the city’s track record of unfinished infrastructure is rapidly becoming a political liability ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
CBAO meanwhile reported the athletic oval reached 36% completion following the application of asphalt last week. The facility is now awaiting the installation of a high-performance tartan track surface. The City Council has referred the collective infrastructure issues to the Committee on Youth Welfare and Sports Development for a comprehensive review. NLMonitor
