Ormoc food park reopens

Fr. Isagani Petillos blesses the food park.
Beside him is Mayor Ondo.

THE food park is a place consisting of two long rows of barbecue stalls where people can enjoy an affordable meal and the sea breeze in a sanitary and decent setting. It is part of Ormocanon culture that a tourist’s experience of the city is never complete without dining at the food park.

The place doesn’t offer anything fancy -- just clean food and the smoked-filled aroma of grilled chicken, pork and meat. Think of Cebu City’s Larsian but with a local Ormoc flavor. People from all walks of life are drawn to the place to enjoy good food and drinks.

Unfortunately, the food park is one of the structures heavily damaged by typhoon Yolanda. Barbecue vendors were forced to set up makeshift stalls at the nearby skating rink to continue earning a living, but the setup was disorganized that it was no longer a pleasant experience eating the famous Ormoc barbecue.

A new feature of the food park is the grilling area.

Finally, last March 26, the food park reopened, looking good as new after only two months and three weeks of rehabilitation. Reconstruction was delayed as the city government had to wait for national funds to finance the project.  Rebuilt at a cost of P2.8 million using funds from Recovery Assistance for Yolanda, a new feature of the food park is the grilling area for the 62 stalls.

Barbecue vendors are happy to be back to their stalls where there is electricity and running water. Leticia Arañez-Raden, owner of Nene’s Barbecue Stand at stall #38 said she finally felt that Ormoc has recovered from Yolanda. “Mapasalamaton ako ni Mayor Ondo nga nahatagan og higayon nga magpadayon og paninda,” she said.

The food park is popular especially to students
due to the affordability of food available.

Equally pleased are the customers who frequented the place. College graduate Frank Dejon says the food park was part of his college life where he used to take his lunch daily due to the affordability of the food. The place once again teems with life with several groups of friends making it their late afternoon and evening rendezvous over a few rounds of cold beer.

 

Mayor Codilla, Fr. Petillos and company enjoy a
sumptuos lunch at the newly opened and better
food park.

Plans are afoot to further improve the food park including the construction of additional comfort rooms (CR) at the corner of Imelda Blvd. and San Pedro St., and building a platform at the back of the existing CR that will serve as viewing deck facing Ormoc Bay that will be adorned with decorative lampposts.