By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE number of active COVID–19 cases has been dropping every day in the past few weeks. Yes, we’re feeling it now. This significant improvement in the management of this killer disease that already killed more than two million inhabitants in the world, prompted the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to ease some quarantine restrictions in some parts of the country, especially in Metro Manila which is now placed under Alert Level 2 – with less-restrictive regulations.

In fact, the cities of Iloilo, Cebu and Davao have already scrapped the use of face-shields. I believe this is a good sign that this beleaguered state of ours is now closing in to a new normal situation. Thanks to God.

In sports, leagues like the PBA, PVL, NCAA, UAAP, whose popular sports are basketball and volleyball and other sports that were played recreationally during pre-pandemic will be permitted now to hold their respective tournaments in Metro Manila with following conditions: Maximum of 50 percent capacity in indoor venue games; only for those fully vaccinated individuals and those 18 years of age.

For outdoor games, 70 percent capacity will be allowed by IATF.

IATF also disclosed that other contact sports like boxing, taekwondo, karate, billiards, bowling, archery, swimming, to name some, can also be held as long as they are approved by the LGU where such games will be hosted and the mandated protocols are observed.

As of this writing (November 10), our province is still under Alert Level 3 (MGCQ) which I believe will end on November 15. Hopefully, the provincial IATF, led by our good and sports-minded Gov. Amado Espino III, will shift our province status to Alert Level 2 beginning November 16. That will ease the restrictions of the COVID-19 contagion that wrought havoc to our financial system not only in our province but the entire country and the world.

By shifting our province to Alert Level 2 will enable us to hold sports activities like what’s happening now at the National Capital Region. And if that happens, the successful and well-known annual Pangasinan Inter-Town Basketball Tournament 2020 of Gov. Pogi whose games were abruptly suspended due to the sudden surge of COVID-19, will also resume its hostilities at Narciso Ramos Sports and Cultural Center basketball court in Lingayen under the directorship of well-known DEPED sports director Edil Abalos.

Hopefully, the supposed five-day 2020 Tour of Pangasinan which was also derailed last year by COVID-19, will also be restored early next year, January or February. If that pushes through, the individual-patterned multi-stage bikefest (exclusively for Pangasinan cyclists with maximum of 70 accredited participants) will hopefully hold the elimination event tentatively scheduled on November 28.

The bikefest is tentatively scheduled on January 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, passing all the towns and cities (except Dagupan) of the province with an approximate distance of almost 800 kilometers. The grand start and grand finish will be the capital town Lingayen. The details of this event will be printed here soon as the details are finalized.  Yes, being a former veteran professional road player of this two-wheeled sport, I know this proposed Pangasinan multi-stage cycling competition will be a very good tune-up race for our local riders who will participate in the coming 2022 Ronda Pilipinas bikathon slated late of February next year.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” JOHN 3: 36

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