After 5 years: New LC Sports Complex reopens

By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter)

Laoag City—In time for the Laoag City Pamulinawen Festival 2023, the city government here has reopened the operation of the Laoag City Sports Complex, otherwise known as the Laoag City Cockpit Arena, situated at Brgy. 1 this city on Jan. 27, 2023.

On the Jan. 4, 2023 regular session, Laoag councilor Atty. Jason Bader Perera sponsored an urgent measure coming from Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon asking for an authority to issue a special permit to Engr. Jofrey B. Felipe for the conduct of cockfighting derby at the LC Sports Complex on Jan. 27 and Feb. 1, 2023.

The council gave the requested authority, and on Jan. 26, 2023, Keon and Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas led the blessing and the re-opening of the Laoag City Sports Complex (LCSC), a day before the formal opening which was attended by new management headed by Felipe, several members of the city council and business establishment owners that will be operating during the cockfighting activities.

Keon expressed his happiness as the “galyera” will finally operate after so many years and it creates employment especially to the “pallotero, kristos, taderos and vendors”.

He likewise thanked the members of the city council headed by the presiding officer for immediately treating his urgent measure and giving it their full support regarding the LCSC operation.

Felipe, for his part, also thanked the mayor, the vice mayor and the members of the city council for the trust given to him for the operation of the LCSC.

A two-cock derby was held on Jan. 27, 2023; while a three-cock inter-barangay derby was held on Feb. 1, 2023.

“Sapay la kuma ta awanen iti makaitubeng daytoy panagay-ayam iti manok tapnu tuloy-tuloyen,” Felipe noted.

“Maragsakanak met ta daytoy ket dakkel a tulong para iti ekonomiya tayo ta daytoy cockfighting ket tourism industry adu iti maitulong na ken daytoy ket dakkel iti mapastrek iti Laoag ken dagiti tattao,” Perera stated.