Couple Ormoc City Rep. Richard Gomez and wife Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez pose for a photo as the city government won awards in local governance and sports development. Contributed photo
Ormoc City, along with two other cities and 12 other towns in Eastern Visayas, has been awarded the 2022 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“This recognition is the icing [on] our city’s cake. It is the fruit of all of our hard work. I salute all our diligent and trustworthy public servants, who endure the scorching sun and brave torrential rains to deliver excellent social services to our people. I would also like to thank our congressman, Rep. Richard Gomez, for planting the seeds of good governance because it was his work that [is] being recognized today. Congratulations Ormoc City!” City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez said.
“With this award, the local government of Ormoc commits to continue to deliver the best services to all Ormocanons. We will continue to make the city of Ormoc proud and make it not only productive but one of the best cities in the country,” she also said.
The SGLG award is conferred by the DILG to local government units or LGUs that showcase good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection for the basic sector, business-friendliness and competitiveness, environmental management, law and order, and public safety.
The award is a fitting highlight to Ormoc City’s celebration of its 75th Charter Day this 2022.
Another high spot in this year’s celebration is Ormoc City’s recognition as “Grand Champion of the Sports and Adventure Tourism Event” in the 23rd Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) National Convention held in Taal Vista Hotel last October 27.
The city won the crown for hosting the 2019 Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) in partnership with the Ormoc Division of the Department of Education (DepEd) under its “Support to Athletes in Pursuit of Accomplishing Total Life-Changing Opportunities in Sports” (SAPATOS) sports development program.
Sports development is a pet advocacy of former city mayor and now congressman Richard Gomez. It is being continued by the current city government helmed by his wife, who used to be the representative of Ormoc City in Congress.
READ: Richard Gomez-led Ormoc City bags PH’s first ISO 18091 certification
“Patuloy nating susuportahan at aalalayan ang ating mga atleta. Malinaw sa ating lahat ang kabutihang idinudulot ng sports development sa ating mga kabataan upang sila ay magkaroon hindi lamang ng malusog at malakas na pangangatawan kundi disiplina sa sarili na rin,” he said.
He also vowed to pursue the approval of sports development-related legislations that he has filed at the House of Representatives.
“Pangungunahan po natin ang mga diskusyon sa Mababang Kapulungan upang mapabilis ang pagpasa ng ating mga panukalang batas na naglalayong lalong palakasin ang mga programa para sa mga atleta sa ating bansa. Itutulak natin ang dagdag na serbisyo at mga programa para sa larangan ng sports nang higit na matulungan ang ating mga manlalaro,” the lawmaker added.