THE House minority bloc members are among the participants in the public-private partnership program of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers.
Led by Rep. Ivan Blanco, the House minority bloc has been repainting and repairing the basketball courts in the villages.
Rep. Angel A. Demapan said they chose to repair and maintain basketball courts because these promote health and wellness especially among the young generation.
So far, the minority bloc members, along with representatives from the private sector and other members of the community, have repaired basketball courts in Dandan and San Antonio in Precinct 1, Navy Hill in Precinct 3 and one of the basketball courts in Chalan Kanoa in Precinct 2.
Demapan said that by fixing these sports facilities in the villages the public-private partners “hope to bring the youth back into sports, especially during this period of pandemic.”
He said the community needs a lot of outdoor activities, so the minority bloc hopes that through these projects, all basketball courts in the villages will be fixed soon.
Ultimately, he said, the goal is to revive the village basketball leagues so residents can have a sense of pride in their villages.
Demapan said many of the basketball courts were unplayable and had become eyesores. Many members of the community have sought the help of lawmakers, he added.
He said since tourism is everybody’s business, the minority bloc is also trying to get everybody involved in transforming the island into a world-class destination by repairing and maintaining sports facilities, public parks, youth centers and roadsides.
For his part, Rep. John Paul Sablan said it was “very humbling” to see people in the villages coming out to join lawmakers in repairing and repainting the basketball courts.
Sablan said he and the other lawmakers are also thankful to Tan Holdings Corp. and other private sector partners like LN Market in Chalan Kanoa and XO Supermarket in Gualo Rai for their support, and to the members of the community who are participating in the public-private partnership initiative.
From left, House Minority Leader Ivan Blanco, Reps. Joel Camacho, John Paul Sablan, Joseph Leepan Guerrero, Angel Demapan and Joseph Flores pose for a photo while repairing and repainting a basketball court in Chalan Kanoa on Monday.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
