MAASIN CITY – The Maasin Sports Complex construction is in progress, with the basketball and tennis courts expected to be completed this month, according to City Engineer Michael D. Esparcia. The football field was the venue used by the secondary football games during the recently held 2025 EVRAA Meet in Maasin City.
Turned over last March 2022, the fund donated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation for the construction of one basketball court and two tennis courts is P53,159,000 which is directly implemented by the city government. From this budget, P23 million was allocated for land clearing and leveling of the 8-hectare area.
During the groundbreaking ceremony in 2022, City Mayor Nacional V. Mercado said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has allocated P400 million for the first tranche of the project, with the sports complex built in phases. A Philippine Sports Commission consultant is also involved to ensure that the complex meets international standards.
In the site development plan, the Maasin Sports Complex features a football field, a standard oval, a basketball court without roof, two tennis courts, grandstand with roof, and arena-convention center with 10,000 seating capacity which is also usable for indoor basketball. A swimming pool may be included in the complex depending on availability of funds, according to Engr. Esparcia. The project is being carried out by Lady of Assumption Enterprises.
The basketball and tennis courts are nearing completion, with pending installation of the lighting system that is awaiting power supply.
The DPWH is the primary agency tasked for the overall development of the Sports Complex, as it has the largest budget allocation, Engr. Esparcia said. The City’s contribution mainly covers the track oval, where there was a surplus in funds.
Mayor Mercado said that the sports facility was supported by former President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Bong Go, PAGCOR Chairperson Andrea Domingo, and DPWH’ former Acting Secretary Roger Mercado.
The Southern Leyte State University (SLSU)-Maasin Campus is not part of the Sports Complex, as it is a separate entity, Engr. Esparcia said. The SLSU President, Dr. Jude Duarte, likewise confirmed that the sports complex is not part of the SLSU Maasin campus. With its proximity, however, the university will benefit from the complex for its sports program.
The recently launched Maasin City housing project with 100 residential units, costing P72 million and mainly funded by the National Housing Authority, is also located near the sports complex in Barangay Tam-is, Maasin City. (Jeraiah Hilot/CM, GMReyes)
