Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio hailed Ormoc City as an exemplary local government partner in grassroots development.

Gregorio admired Ormoc’s ambitious infrastructure program following a three-day visit that showcased its expanding network of competition venues and training facilities.

“Fantastic vision. Admirable passion. Shine, Ormoc Sports,” Gregorio said as quoted in a news release Thursday.

The PSC chief joined city officials led by Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez, and Vice Mayor Carmelo Locsin Jr. in the turnover of a newly installed boxing ring at the Ormoc City Sports Complex.

PSC Commissioners Matthew Gaston and Walter Torres, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Marcus Manalo, and Karate Pilipinas president Richard Lim also attended the ceremony.

Gregorio assured city officials of the PSC’s full support for Ormoc’s sports program.

“Thank you endlessly for the wonderful support from the PSC. We all do what we can for each other in God’s garden. You are nurturing the seeds we have sown through the years. God bless all our efforts,” Torres-Gomez said.

Among the city’s flagship projects are national training facilities for sporting clays and modern pentathlon, along with air-conditioned dormitories for athletes and coaches.

A PHP110 million track-and-field facility at the Ormoc City Sports Complex in Barangay Juaton is expected to be completed in the latter part of 2027.

Additional venues are being developed for tennis, padel, BMX racing, badminton, pickleball, sport climbing, and combat sports as part of the city’s continuing effort to establish itself as the region’s leading sports destination.

The growing infrastructure has prompted the PSC to consider Ormoc as host of the 2028 Batang Pinoy National Championships, the country’s premier grassroots sports competition.

Gregorio made the proposal to Torres-Gomez and Rep. Gomez during the Eastern Visayas Sports and Youth Summit, saying the PSC is prepared to provide financial assistance should Ormoc secure the hosting rights.

“We want more national competitions to be held in the provinces so young athletes can compete at a high level without always traveling to Metro Manila,” he said.

Gregorio noted that many of the country’s leading athletes come from the provinces, underscoring the importance of sustained investments in grassroots programs and regional sports development.

Torres-Gomez welcomed the possibility of hosting Batang Pinoy, saying Ormoc is ready to take on the challenge. (PNA)