BONTOC, Mtn. Province – Sports activities can now be held indoor as the provincial government inaugurated the Governor Leonard G. Mayaen Sports Center in this capital town.
The wife of the late Governor Mayaen graced the occasion to receive that Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Provincial Ordinance No. 493 dated June 26, 2023 naming the sports center in honor of the late governor in recognition of the initiative in constructing the building and his other contributions in the development of the province.
Before the inaugural program last February 26, 2024, Fr. Marcial Castañeda officiated the blessing of the sports center preceding a prayer service in front of the building.
Provincial Engineer Edward Likigan gave a brief background of the sports facility. He said that the idea of a sports facility was conceptualized in year 2000. The late Governor Mayaen recognized the need for such a facility to host the CARAA and other sports activities.
The first phase of the construction started in 2016 up to 2018 with a cost of P30 million. In 2019, another loan from the Land Bank was obtained in the amount of P20 Million for the second phase. The final and completion phase was funded by the provincial governments, general fund in the amount of P15 million in 2023.
Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., represented by Dionisio Wacdisen, expressed joy and accolades for the inauguration and blessing of the new sports center. He said that the center symbolizes love, commitment, and the power of unity between the provincial officials.
The sports center is also a consolidation of dreams coming true, sports that will instill a sense of teamwork, discipline, a beacon of inspiration for the young athletes to encourage them to pursue their passion and strive for excellence in sports.
During the program, Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan paid tribute to the late Governor Mayaen who conceptualized the sports center and provided for the initial funds for the construction of the building. He acknowledged the many programs and projects of the late governor that significantly contributed to the development of the province.
“For this, it is proper that this center be dedicated to him”, he said referring to the late governor.
Lacwasan, whose initial act of naming the sports center is reportedly his act recognizing the contributions to the development of the provincein honor of the past governor. Similar actions had never been done by any of his predecessors.
Former Provincial General Services Officer Agosto Bugnosen who read a message from the children of the late Governor Mayaen, expressed gratitude for the provincial government for the tribute to the late governor.
“We are deeply grateful to the provincial government of Mountain Province and its people headed by Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr for the support and love they have given to our dad and family. . . with the inauguration of this sports center. We are humbled and grateful for giving recognition to our dad, for his service and contribution and for the love and sacrifice he gave to the people of Mountain Province”, Bugnosen relayed.
The sports center that can accommodate 1,500 with its seating capacity, with bleachers accommodating approximately 300 and the basketball court can have 1,200 seats, will be initially used when the provincial meet of the Department of Education happens in the weeks to come.
It will also be a venue for the concerts that have been frequently done in smaller venues such as the multi-Purpose Hall in the provincial plaza.
Eric Fulangen, the Municipal Administrator who represented the town’s mayor expressed support to the inauguration of the new sports center and called for the use of the facility for physical fitness and other sports activities that will make the community stronger and healthier.
In attendees during the program were Vice Governor Francis Tauli, all the Board Members, Provincial Administrator Franklin Odsey, and provincial and some national employees as the occasion coincided with the routinary flag raising ceremony.
Poblacion Barangay Captain Atty. Florence Taguiba and kagawads were also present to lend support to the inauguration program. They expressed optimism that the center will encourage community involvement in sports activities.**Roger Sacyaten
