THE Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Evraa) has reset the schedule of its sports competition from March 3-8 to April 7-12 “to ensure security, comfort, and convenience” to the thousands of delegates in Ormoc City.

Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez said the postponement will pave the way for the completion of the repairs and renovations of various sports facilities in the city.

The city legislative council also passed a resolution approving the rescheduling of the games.

It cited that “the delays of the facilities were brought about by frequent days of continuous heavy rains during rainy season.”

As this year’s host city, Ormoc has undertaken repairs and renovations on existing facilities such as grandstand construction and elevated basketball court construction, track and field oval renovation, and improvement of billeting quarter facilities and water supply system “to ensure quality accommodation” for all athletes and coaches from 13 school divisions in the region.

“We have to respect the request of Ormoc City Government as the host,” Department of Education Regional Director Ramir Uytico said.

In February 2018 games in Calbayog City, Ormoc division defeated Leyte, which ruled Evraa meet for the past 10 years.

Evraa delegations comprised the school divisions of Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Baybay City, Ormoc City, Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Borongan City, Catbalogan City, Calbayog City, and Tacloban City. (SunStar Philippines)