Users of CCSC oval spike amid 24/7 operation

Despite working full-time at an insurance company, Divine Grace Lawat always makes it a point to spend some time jogging every day.

She started the routine when she was still in college. Now 23, Lawat still jogs every weekday afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center. On weekends, she hits the CCSC's track and field oval in the morning.

She also joins the belly dancing exercises offered at the sports center's studio.

Lawat was among those who have welcomed the 24/7 operation of the oval, a move initiated by the city government to accommodate workers like her who may not have the time to do physical exercises because of schedule constraints.

“Actually it helps a lot kay dili na siya gani limited ang offer, especially sa mga athletes, so they can stay longer unya mas favorable sa tanan. Nindot siya mag-open 24 hours kay anytime, pag gabii, kay puwede ra sad maka-jog,” she told The FREEMAN.

Marvin, 31, a business process outsourcing (BPO) worker, was operated on his leg after suffering fracture a few years back.

With his current condition, the doctor advised him to engage in regular physical activity to fully recover.

The CCSC oval has provided him that venue.

“Out ko from work mga 1 or 2 sa kadlawon, so mga 8-10 a.m. ko plano mag-jogging. Sa mga hapon, wala man siguro kaayo mag-jogging ana, so katong mga mag-duty, mangadlawon ba, gabii sila magjogging so makagamit sad kaayo sila,” Marvin said.

Just like Lawat and Marvin, college student and athlete Rey Villahermosa, 23, also shared that the 24-hour operation has afforded him and his co-athletes time to practice at night when they can't train in the morning.

CCSC began the 24-hour scheme last April 5, following netizen Zion Kristoffer Isobal's suggestion to Mayor Tomas Osmeña via a post on Facebook.

After a month, the sports center's management has noted an increase in the number of oval users.

CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros said he is amenable to the idea of keeping the 24-hour operation since there are still joggers going to the center up to 11 p.m.

“Anyway, we open at 4 a.m. so mura gihapon mi'g 24 hours. As of now, some joggers opt to jog as early 3 a.m. since we started the operation 24/7,” he told The FREEMAN.

Ballesteros has a reminder to joggers, though: for them to leave their bags at the courtesy booth.

“Naay uban kompyansa gihapon nga ibilin ilang bags sa railings. And reminders nga dili dating or lovers area ang center. We have 24/7 security and CCTV, and they will be dealt with accordingly kung naa makit-an or masakpan,” he said.

Ballesteros said that to boost security, two more security guards have been deployed at CCSC at night.