LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Benguet caretaker and party-list representative for ACT-CIS Eric Yap said he hopes the Benguet Sports Complex in Barangay Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet would be completed this year.
The Wangal Sports Complex, which used to host the traditional Benguet Adival Festival, is a legacy project of the late Benguet action man Nestor Fongwan, Sr.
The current improvement of the Benguet Wangal Sports Complex valued at P540 million is being funded by Yap.
Yap said the final stage of the installation of the rubber tartan to make the 400-meter track oval basically an all-weather running surface will be finished in time before a team of European experts arrives next month for inspection and certification.
Rehabilitation of the sports complex facilities began in June 2021 after Benguet, together with Baguio City, lost its bid to host the annual Palarong Pambansa.
Included in the rehabilitation is the Olympic-sized swimming pool which is being made compliant with the international standards to ensure Benguet can host not only local, regional, and national but also international competitions.
Part of the rehabilitation are the improvement of the bleachers to please the spectators, upgrading of tennis court, installation of wooden court in gymnasium and fiberglass for board (in basketball).
Yap said they are closely monitoring the ongoing rehabilitation to ensure they are finished within target time this year.
On January 29, 2020, after being appointed as the legislative caretaker of Benguet, Yap said in his welcome program at the Wangal Sports Complex, that he will give priority to pursuing the rehabilitation of the sports complex left behind by former Congressman Fongwan Sr.