PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said sports facilities such as track ovals under the Philippine Sports Commission will be opened free to the public as part of a vigorous fitness program he has envisioned for the country.
He noted that many Filipinos have become obese and unhealthy and he plans to make them more active and perhaps in the process, sports authorities may be able to find more people who can follow in the footsteps of the country's sports greats such as Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, Carlos Yulo, Carlos Biado and Alex Eala.
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The Chief Executive gave the order during his State of the Nation Address on Monday where he also revealed a masterplan for sports for the country in the remaining years of his term.
Marcos Jr. said the track ovals of the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philsports Complex in Pasig, and Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City will be opened to the public free of charge.
At the same time, he directed heads of local governments to clean their parks and open spaces to encourage an active lifestyle for Filipinos.
PSC chairman Pato Gregorio was delighted to see sports front and center of the President's SONA and assured that all his directives will be implemented by the government's sports agency.
“The President’s focus on sports in the SONA is a testament to the growing strength of our sports development program and its relevance to national development," Gregorio said. "We in the PSC recognize this responsibility and are wholly committed to strengthening sports from the grassroots — to build up our athletes and nurture a proud and healthy citizenry.
"Makakaasa po kayong buong puso naming tatanggapin at isasakatuparan ang lahat ng direktiba ng Pangulo.”
“Nakikita natin ang sobrang pagtaas naman ng timbang ng ating mga kababayan edad 20 at pataas,” Marcos Jr. said. “Kaya sikapin natin maging mas aktibo ang ating pamumuhay araw-araw. Ipalaganap natin ang mga pagsasagawa ng mga palaro, mga pa-liga, fun run, fun walk, pati mga aerobics, pa-zumba.
“Para sa mga LGUs, buksan at gawing maaliwalas ang mga park at mga plaza natin kung saan makakapag-ensayo ang ating mga mamamayan, bata man o matanda. Magpatupad tayo ng mga car-free Sunday tulad ng ginagawa sa ilang lungsod dito sa Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, at Davao,” he added.
“Bilang pag-suporta dito, simula ngayon, bubuksan ng Philippine Sports Commission sa publiko ang kanilang mga track and field oval sa Pasig, Manila, at Baguio upang makapag-jogging na kayo ng libre,” said Marcos Jr.
The President also said the government will fully support the Palarong Pambansa and the Batang Pinoy National Games as part of the new sports development program of the country so that it can discover new talents that will follow in the footsteps of our world-class athletes.
“Magbubuhos tayo ng todo suporta sa mga palaro at mga atleta sa buong bansa, halimbawa, ang Palarong Pambansa at ang Batang Pinoy Games na gaganapin sa General Santos City ngayong Oktubre.
Nationwide sports program
“Bubuo tayo ng bagong pambansang programa para sa sports development. Uumpisahan natin ito sa paaralan pa lamang, ibabalik natin ang mga sports clubs at magsasagawa tayo ng mga palaro at Intrams sa lahat ng pampublikong paaralan,” said Marcos Jr.
“Naririyan na ang Philippine Sports Commission at saka ang Pagcor upang tiyakin ang patuloy na pagtaguyod at pagsuporta sa ating mga programang pampalakasan ng mga atleta sa buong bansa. Dahil sa mga ito, ang kabataan ay maagaang namumulat sa sport, humuhusay at tumataas ang kumpiyansa,” Marcos Jr. added.
Although his sports and fitness program are likely to put energy to a sector that has always been short of support from government, specially from provinces, cities, towns and municipalities, the matter of implimentation remains the big question.
Most LGUs are short of finances to build parks and recreation areas and to address this problem would require truly committed local officials who believe in a healthy and productive citizenry.
Can Marcos Jr.'s new order be a game changer? Only time will tell.
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