Naga City, Philippines — Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo has issued a statement regarding the recent issue of the P500-million fund granted by the National Government to the city under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
In her detailed explanation, Robredo said the P500 million is intended for the rehabilitation and retrofitting of the Jesse M. Robredo (JMR) Coliseum.
Of the total amount, P450 million will be used for repairs and rehabilitation, while the remaining P50 million will be allocated for the purchase of heavy equipment to strengthen the city’s disaster response capabilities.
According to the mayor, the coliseum was built in 2009 and was initially opened as a venue for major events such as conventions, concerts, and sports competitions.
However, over the years, it has also served as an evacuation center for thousands of Naga residents during disasters.
Robredo said the need to rehabilitate the coliseum is timely, particularly since the facility sustained significant damage from Typhoon Kristine in 2024.
She said she began seeking funding for the JMR Coliseum in 2025.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan subsequently recommended using the LGSF for the project, which was approved by the National Government in February 2026.
Through the P500-million funding, the facility is expected to become safer and more functional, both for evacuees during disasters and for residents attending events.
Construction of the JMR Coliseum rehabilitation project is scheduled to begin in October, while government agencies, non-government organizations, and other groups currently occupying the building are being relocated to other facilities.
The issue was raised during budget deliberations in the House of Representatives when Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Egay Erice asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) about the basis for granting such a large allocation to a coliseum, despite the presence of other local government units in Bicol that are considered more economically disadvantaged than Naga.
Meanwhile, it may be recalled that in February of this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally visited and inspected the JMR Coliseum, coinciding with the turnover of the P500-million allocation.
Malacañang has also denied that the funding provided to Naga was politically motivated, saying the allocation was based on the city’s needs.