Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday said he is committed to help the Negros Occidental provincial government access funds for the expansion of the Panaad Sports Stadium in Bacolod City so it can accommodate bigger crowds.

Zubiri, who was hoarse from cheering for the Philippine Azkals in their match versus the Mongolian national team in Bacolod City Wednesday night, said that in  increasing the Panaad crowd capacity to 40,000 from the current 20,000, its bleachers will have to be expanded and roofs will have to be built over them.

The provincial government already has a plan and it will cost about P100 to 150 million, he said.

There possible sources of funds for the expansion are private firms like Smart that has expressed interest into going into a partnership with the province, the national government through President Benigno Aquino, or FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), he said.

The international football community is willing to help if tapped, he said.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon said former Rep. Jose Cojuangco, Philippine Olympic Committee chairman, also told him that the national government was interested in helping in the expansion of Panaad.

“We will make Negros Occidental the football Capital of the Philippines,” Cojuangco told Marañon at the Azkals match at the Panaad Wednesday night.*CPG

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