Ormoc residents cite Lucy's road projects

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – Why are the road projects of Leyte fourth district Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez wider than a good meter than that of the city government which has a standard budget and specifications for such projects?

This is the question Ormoc City residents are asking after the congresswoman went the rounds of some villages in this city last week to turn over various projects funded from her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

The projects were implemented by the 4th Leyte Engineering District, which incidentally was hailed recently as the top performing engineering district in the region, up from a dismal 12th ranking during her predecessor’s time.

That is because the projects are well implemented with no shortcuts taken, said Richard Gomez, the congresswoman’s chief of staff.

In her speech before residents of Barangay Can-untog where one such wide road was finished, providing a stark contrast to the city-funded road, Torrez-Gomez urged them to take care of the road because it was built from taxpayers’ money.

Other projects that the congresswoman turned over last week was a six-classroom building in Barangay Liloan that she lobbied from Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.

Designed by the United Architect’s Association-Diliman chapter on Torres-Gomez’s request, the school building maximizes the use of natural light and wind, which she said would help the school keep its power costs low. The design, it was learned, was approved by the Department of Education and there are moves to adopt it nationwide.

Richard Gomez said the congresswoman is meticulous with her projects and thinks like a housewife, wanting to stretch every peso so that the projects’ impact on her constituents is maximized.