Lucy opens Ormoc's new rubberized oval

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – Leyte 4th district Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez and husband Richard, inaugurated last Sunday the rubberized oval at the Ormoc City Central School, the 26th of its kind in the country.

The project, which Lucy said was one of her seven "legacy projects" for her district, was funded in phases by the congresswoman's Priority Assistance Development Fund through the Philippine Sports Commission during her first term.

Present during the inauguration were city Councilors Vincent Rama and Gerardo Penserga, who is also the chairman of the youth and sports committee; DepEd-Leyte Superintendent Ronelo Al Firmo; city schools division superintendent Mariza Magan and Lino Gonzales, head of the 4th Leyte Engineering Division.

Gonzales, in his speech to teachers, running enthusiasts and barangay chairmen, detailed how Lucy funded the improvement of the oval from her PDAF at a cost of P40 million only, instead of the expected cost of P60 million.

He said Lucy and Richard, then her chief of staff, made sure that the funds were effectively spent on improving the oval to the point that instead of contracting out its rubberized overlay, the couple opted to bring in suppliers from China directly to work on the project.

While phases I and II of the project were finished within its time frame of 240 calendar days, Gonzales said there was a delay in the rubber overlay because of the rains. However, just as it was ready for the overlay on November last year, Yolanda hit the region, again delaying the project. Nonetheless, after the obstacles the project had to hurdle, it is now finished, he said.

The inauguration of the oval was capped with fun runs: The "lady boys" category, for 50 years old and above, and the 400-meter dash and 1,500 meter run for the younger crowd. The winners got cash prizes while the champions had a congressional medal each.