Friday, December 14, 2007 RTA uproots chess venue in Divisoria By Lynde Salgados
CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Constantino "Tinnex" Jaraula ordered the RTA (Roads and Traffic Administration) to include the city's only accessible venue for training matches in its ongoing "clean and clear" operation.
Passing by at Divisoria's amphitheatre Thursday afternoon, the three make-shift covered tables for regular chess games frequented by a large number of enthusiasts everyday were among those uprooted by RTA in the area.
"The chess plaza in Divisoria has already established an institution among the local chess enthusiasts in Cagayan de Oro who would meet day and night to play and enjoy the game. I don't know what to call the mayor's order but this is certainly against local chess development," said National Master Levi Mercado.
"Halos tanan nga corner sa siyudad anaay basketball court i-semento pa ug butanga'g suga. Sa chess mao-mao ra nga venue ihikaw pa. Dili man ta mga sidewalk vendors sports development man `ning atong kalihokan," added Bert Paradero.
"Wala pay suporta sa chess diin ubay-ubay atong mga talents dinhi nga gasaka ang dula ug gadala'g garbo sa siyudad kuhaan pa ta'g venue," another one, rued.
Asset trainer Lorenzo "Jun" Cuizon, however said, the city government may have other noble plans for the betterment of local chess.
"Mo-seek lang siguro ta'g audience sa mayor aron mapadayag atong mga mulo. Wala ta kabalo nga basin adunay maayo nga plano ang mayor nga iplastar kita sa laing lugar o magpatukod ba siya'g laing venue sa chess nga desente ang dating," said Cuizon in trying to appease the dejected woodpushers.
