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Laoag council approves P20.2M for international triathlon

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By Dominic B. dela Cruz. Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved PHP20.2 million for the Laoag City Sports Development and Tourism Promotions Project to host an international triathlon aimed at boosting employment, the local economy and tourism.

The council authorized Laoag Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid to enter into a multi-year contract with a qualified supplier/consultant for the project.

Laoag Councilor Donald Nicolas, chairperson of the appropriations committee, said Republic Act No. 12009 (the New Government Procurement Act) allows multi-year contracts subject to Multi-Year Contractual Authority (MYCA) and Department of Budget and Management conditions. The MYCA’s total project cost will be the basis for the Approved Budget for the Contract.

The city plans to fund the project over two years. It allocated PHP6 million through Supplemental Budget Ordinance No. 13-013-2026 (Series of 2026) and will include the remaining PHP14.2 million in the 2027 annual budget.

The vote was split. Laoag councilors Jaybee Baquiran, Enrico Ang, Donald Nicolas, Justine Chua, Bjorn Lao and SK Federated President Rionell Respicio voted in favor. Jeff Fariñas, John Michael Fariñas, Juan Conrado Respicio and Jason Bader Perera abstained. Laoag Councilor Edison Chua was absent.

Those who abstained cited the need for more time to study the proposal. Respicio requested further review of the project’s benefits, Perera said the PHP20.2 million is sizable and deserved fuller study, and the Fariñas councilors said they needed more time.

Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas, the council presiding officer, objected to being listed among sponsors but said the resolution should proceed only after proper public hearings and consultations. In a Facebook post he spoke in Ilocano in support of the activity while stressing the need to follow correct procedures.

Acting City Tourism Officer Maryjane Pascual and members of the local finance committee defended the measure during deliberations.

Alcid said the budget is earmarked for promoting sports tourism and that this would be the first international triathlon in Laoag City and Ilocos Norte. He cited feasibility research projecting significant indirect revenue gains for hotels, restaurants and other local businesses.

As the tourism gateway of Ilocos Norte, Laoag aims to attract domestic and international visitors and extend their stays through more sports-tourism events. The mayor expects participants from about 30–40 countries and hopes the event will launch in August, with a larger staging possibly scheduled for March next year after the Pamulinawen Festival in February.

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