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Ilocos Norte gov’t, DepEd partner for more public playgrounds

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SP member Matthew Manotoc attends the inauguration of another public playground and turnover of school materials at Filipinas East Elementary School in the Town of San Nicolas. (Alaric Yanos)

Laoag City—The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd)-Ilocos Norte inaugurated six new playground facilities in various elementary schools in the province from July 4-6, 2018.

Beneficiaries were Piddig South Central Elementary School, Carasi Elementary School, San Marcelino Elementary School in Dingras, Paoay Central Elementary School, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Pinili, and San Mateo Elementary School in Batac City.

Senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc headed the inauguration of the playground facilities.

“I hope this will be a very important place, not only for the school, but for the community where children can play and families can socialize,” he said.

Since December 2016, Mr. Manotoc has spearheaded the installation of three-generational (3G) playground-cum-fitness-parks in support of Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos' initiative to create public recreational spaces, thus making the province “livable.” 3G parks contain both children's play equipment and outdoor exercise facilities, serving as a playground for young and elderly Ilocanos alike.

“It [playground facility] inspires students to study harder because they already have a space for recreation,” he remarked, adding that though the six new sites are situated within elementary school campuses, they are “open to all, even to non-students.”

The provincial government funded the Playground facilities situated within school grounds under the Special Education Fund (SEF). Following the inauguration was the distribution of school materials to students.
To date, 13 public elementary schools and 14 local government units have been recipients of Mr. Manotoc’s playground initiative.

Manotoc urges 'healthy lifestyle' among local employees
Meanwhile, Mr. Manotoc also reiterated Provincial Ordinance No 034-2018, which gives provincial employees the “right to stand during work,” to emphasize the importance of workplace health and wellness.

Ms. Marcos approved the ordinance, which he sponsored, on April 16, 2018, and is based on the Philippine Constitution’s declaration that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people.

The ordinance combats the effects of a sedentary lifestyle linked to desk or office work and allows employees to have a standing or walking break of five minutes every two hours, or 10 minutes every four hours, as scheduled by their supervisors to ensure that public service is not impaired.

“Very passionate ako na none of us should be sitting for longer than half an hour to an hour maximum,” said Mr. Manotoc, “So I think that [the ordinance] will help encourage more activity.”

He likened this purpose to that of the public playgrounds, a continuous project since December 2016. So far, they have installed a total of 27 playgrounds throughout 14 towns and cities and 13 public elementary schools in Ilocos Norte.

“I encourage mayors to enhance and add to the playgrounds, so they can be full-fledged parks katulad ng parks natin dito sa Laoag at sa Batac na may mga adult fitness equipment—that is really my hope for these playgrounds.”

The senior board member also noted that the media and workplace authorities, including those in the private sector, should promote a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing not only health and wellness of employees, but also the camaraderie and team-building that could come from engaging in group physical activities.

Aside from putting up public playgrounds, Mr. Manotoc is also behind the offering of athletic scholarships in the province as well as the yearly Ilocos Norte Youth Games to encourage sports involvement among the youth. (Edison Justin B. Deus andMizpah Grace G. Castro)

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