CEBU CITY – Despite the shift of the school calendar back to its traditional June start, the City Olympics will go ahead as planned, a Department of Education official confirmed on Thursday. Salustiano Jimenez, the regional director for Central Visayas, stated that the event will not be impacted by the calendar change, and preparations for the June 2025 school opening are well underway. Jimenez expressed optimism that the new schedule will remain stable.
Jimenez affirmed, ‘The City Olympics will proceed as scheduled, despite the school year adjustment.’ The recent Cebu City Olympics, held from December 13 to 18, saw some events like sprints and long-distance races rescheduled to January 3 to 5, 2025, due to necessary repairs at the Cebu City Sports Center track oval.
The regional director highlighted that the academic calendar shift will not hinder the City Olympics, which is crucial for preparing athletes for the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) meet scheduled for March in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental. Jimenez pointed out the importance of timing, saying, ‘Holding the City Olympics in January or February would not give enough time to prepare the winners for CVIRAA.’
Central Visayas, home to 2.1 million students, is adjusting to the new academic schedule approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in May.