Panay’s ‘biggest’ sports complex to rise in northern Iloilo

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor 

A state-of-the-art sports complex, touted as the largest in Panay Island, is set to be constructed in Sara town in the northern part of Iloilo.

The facility, named the Tingog Asenso Quinto Sports Complex, will rise inside Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) – Victorino Salcedo Campus in Brgy. Anoring.

The P350-million sports complex will house a 3,000 square meter stadium, oval, field and track, Olympic-size swimming pool, covered gymnasium, basketball court, football court, volleyball court, and lawn tennis court, accommodating approximately 3,000 individuals.

Phase 2 of its construction will integrate additional facilities such as a dormitory, recreational area, canteen, and multi-purpose building within the complex to further enhance sports development in the area.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, April 27, was spearheaded by Tingog Party List Representative Yedda Romualdez, alongside Fifth District Representative Raul “Boboy” Tupas, Board Member Binky Tupas, and NISU President Dr. Bobby Gerardo.

“This is such an impactful project, napakaganda po ng project na ito baka in 2 or 3 years pwede na tayo mag host ng palarong pambansa,” said Congressman Yedda Romualdez, speaking on behalf of her husband, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The commencement of civil works for the initial phase, funded by a P100 million budget, is expected to start next month.

Tupas emphasized the sports complex’s role in nurturing the talents of local youth and fostering the development of national-level athletes.

“Our longstanding aspiration for a sports complex in northern Iloilo is finally being realized with a humble groundbreaking ceremony. Once completed, this will be the largest sports complex on Panay Island,” he said.

Tupas said they target to finish the sports complex in 2 to 3 years, citing the initial acquisition of the P100 million budget for Phase 1 implementation.