San Miguel Multi-Purpose Gym Benefits Residents

The newly completed multi-purpose gym delivered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office, now provides shelter and a functional venue for hundreds of residents in Barangay 6 Poblacion, San Miguel, Iloilo.

Funded under the Fiscal Year 2023 Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP), the PHP 4.949-million project includes the construction of a multi-purpose covered gym equipped with amenities for indoor and outdoor activities.

The 350-square-meter facility features a five-span roof framing, complete with earthworks, reinforced concrete, finishing, and electrical components.

Regional Director Sanny Boy O. Oropel said the gym offers a more convenient and improved venue for social, religious, political, health, and recreational activities in the barangay.

“This structure provides an all-weather venue for vital local activities, including sports development, health and fitness promotion, socio-political programs, religious gatherings, and other community events,” Oropel said.

He added that the gym could serve as a temporary evacuation center during calamities and disasters, particularly for families living in flood- or landslide-prone areas.

Situated in a remote village, the facility may also function as a temporary storage space for crops and agricultural products, especially during the harvest season.

“Apart from being a venue for social gatherings and barangay affairs, this structure can temporarily serve as a post-harvest facility where farmers can safely store crops and other agricultural products,” Oropel said.

District Engineer Mario G. Soriano emphasized the gym’s spacious design, which can accommodate hundreds of residents and host various community activities.

“The gym will function as a sports facility, training area for different sports, and an indoor space for gatherings. Its design ensures usability in all seasons, maximizing its utility value,” Soriano explained.

Soriano also noted that the project symbolizes community progress and unity.

“This multi-purpose covered gym is more than just a building. It represents unity, progress, and community spirit, showcasing how a shared vision can bridge differences and bring people together,” Soriano added.

The DPWH Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office aims to continue delivering infrastructure that uplifts the lives of residents in remote communities. (DPWH)