La Paz football field lighting to launch in October

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The La Paz Plaza Football Ground is set to become the first public football field in Western Visayas with an internationally recognized lighting system as its PHP 17.3 million upgrade nears completion.

The project is spearheaded by Meralco PowerGen through Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) with support from the One Meralco Foundation.

According to PEDC Community Relations and External Affairs Head Michael Guanco, the project is now 75 percent complete.

Energization is scheduled for October 7, while full completion is targeted by September 30.

The initiative officially began on March 10, 2025.

Guanco said catwalk installations on Towers 1 and 2 are complete, while work on Towers 3 and 4 is underway.

Preparations for the remaining catwalk installations are also in progress.

All lighting equipment has been delivered, and wiring works have been finalized.

Testing and commissioning are slated for September 26, depending on weather conditions.

“It would be an honor for the city to be the first among the local government units that have a football field located in a plaza that is lighted, which is acceptable to international football standards,” Guanco said.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said the improved field has already begun attracting football teams and schools for practice.

She noted there is renewed interest in reviving the La Paz Football Club.

The upgraded facilities are expected to boost sports tourism and support local football development.

To manage usage, the field will remain free but will require advance scheduling.

Lighting will be used strategically during games and practices to control costs and preserve the system’s lifespan.

Treñas-Chu said the project complements the city’s vision of assigning unique identities to each public plaza.

La Paz Plaza is envisioned as a sports plaza, Plaza Libertad will focus on heritage, Arevalo and Mandurriao on greenery, and Jaro Plaza on history and religion.

“It is important to give a proper branding per plaza,” she said.

“That’s why we’re trying to develop each of our plazas to have its own identity. For example, how do we encourage our tourists to visit if they see it’s still the same plaza?” she added.