ORMOC CITY – A total of 378 freshmen of the City College of Ormoc (CCO) happily received their multi-touch screen tablets from LGU-Ormoc, led by Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez on August 4, 2025.
During the activity, Mayor Lucy told the students not to waste their youth. “Ayaw usik-usiki ang inyong youth, because that’s the only thing you have now; you have the luxury of time to pursue all your dreams,” she said.
The mayor also told the freshmen students that this local government unit and other sponsors who support CCO want all the graduates to be contributing happy members of the society. She further emphasized that the city has very strong education programs because education is very important for the Ormoc Development Team (ODT).
One of the electronic tablet recipients, Jess Edrian Suerto, a freshman from the Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA) program, gave his thank-you message to LGU-Ormoc during the distribution, especially to Mayor Lucy and Leyte 4th District Representative Richard I. Gomez, because receiving said tablet truly means a lot to students like him. “Receiving something as essential as a learning gadget is not just help—it is empowering. It is the kind of story that matters. A story that deserves to be told and lived on,” said Suerto. “You deserve a million thanks for pouring your love into us and filling people’s cups up. Mabuhay po kayo!” he exclaimed.
On the one hand, during the same tablet distribution event, another five laptops were also given to CCO faculty to aid them in their work. Present too at said event were City Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin, Jr.; Sangguniang Panlungsod Member (SPM) and Chairperson of the Committee on Education and Manpower Development Dr. Edmund Kierulf; SPM Burt Pades; SPM Ari Larrazabal; SPM Caren Torres-Rama; SPM Jasper Lucero; SPM Tommy Serafica; SPM Peter Rodriguez; SPM Gerry Penserga; SPM Kia Mercadal; SK Federation President Jhana Lyka Calixtro; and Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager and CCO faculty Atty. Nolito Quilang. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail AUGUST 4-10, 2025 issue)
