Robredo thanks Marcos for P500-M funding to repair Naga coliseum

Former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for releasing P500 million in funding for the rehabilitation of the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum (JMRC) in Naga City, Camarines Sur. The funding was provided through a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and was presented by President Marcos during a meeting with Mayor Robredo on February 21, 2026, which both leaders characterized as non-political and focused on public service.

Robredo acknowledged the support through a Facebook post, thanking not only President Marcos but also Senator Kiko Pangilinan for bringing the matter to the administration's attention and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto for facilitating the funding request. The 12,000-seat coliseum, known as 'The Big Dome of the South,' was established during the tenure of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo (Leni's husband) and officially opened in September 2010. Following Jesse Robredo's death in 2012, the facility was renamed in his honor.

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The planned improvements to the coliseum include installation of a community kitchen to serve displaced residents during emergencies, upgrades to sanitation facilities and roofing systems, structural reinforcements, enhancements to the drainage system to mitigate flooding, and establishment of dedicated medical response areas for urgent situations. The JMRC has served as a vital evacuation and relief center during numerous typhoons and earthquakes affecting the Bicol region.

Robredo emphasized that with this substantial funding secured, the city can now address other neglected facilities beyond the coliseum, including the Metro Naga Sports Complex and the Naga City Civic Center, which have long needed restoration support. The collaboration between the former political rivals demonstrates a focus on public service over politics, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of the coliseum as a critical community facility for the people of Naga City and the broader Bicol region.