The Iloilo Provincial Government has allotted a budget of P15 million to its One Town, One Football Field Program for the construction of six (6) football fields in the province of Iloilo.
One Town, One Football Field is a Sports Development Program of Iloilo Capitol conceptualized by the Iloilo Sports Management and Development Office (ISMDO) headed by Dr. Janelyn Fundal which aims to equip public schools within the province with standard soccer facilities and playing surfaces for students interested in sports.
This sports program is funded by the Provincial Government in the amount of P2,500,000.00 each under the Provincial School Board- Special Education Fund. The budget of the said program covered an initial 6 recipient schools namely,
- Oton National High School
(Oton, Iloilo)
- Janiuay National High School
(Janiuay, Iloilo)
- New Lucena National High School
(New Lucena, Iloilo)
- Cabatuan National High School
(Cabatuan, Iloilo)
- Carlos Lopez National High School
(San Dionisio, Iloilo)
- Barotac Nuevo National High School
(Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo)
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., acting as chairman of the Provincial School Board has committed to develop additional venues for students interested in football.
Having a football field in school could afford our youngsters a good training ground to enhance their fundamental skills in soccer and eventually create varsity teams among public schools.
Football is popular among Ilonggos with the town of Barotac Nuevo being known as the Football Capital of the Philippines. Towns of Barotac Nuevo and Sta. Barbara has produced some of the country’s best football players now in the national team. The Philippine National Football Team (AZKALS) had top strikers who hail from Iloilo. Among others were Ian Araneta and Chieffy Caligdong.
Mr. Ray Cabarles, Iloilo Sports Management and Development Office (ISMDO) Varsity Program Director said the program of works as well as the determination of the Approved Budget for the Contract are now in the hands of the Provincial Engineers Office.
The implementation of this pilot project shall be subject to competitive bidding at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol the process of which leads to the selection of qualified contractors that will undertake the construction of the project.
Capitol News (JZT)
