The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will develop a blueprint that will transform the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City into a vibrant and multi-purpose space for recreation and physical fitness.
PSC Chair Patrick Gregorio and DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla met recently and underscored their shared vision of revitalizing the area, positioning it as a safe and accessible venue for active lifestyles in the country’s largest city, according to a news release on Monday.
The park is ideal for the development of various sports facilities, including a skateboarding park, wushu and sports climbing areas, rowing lanes, and canoe-kayak paddling zones in the lagoon, biker- and pedestrian-friendly spaces, among others.
“When we open the track ovals in Rizal Memorial, Philsports, and Baguio CIty, we realize na ang (that the) basic need pala ng mga mamamayan ay (of citizens are) safe spaces where they can walk,” Gregorio said.
Within Quezon City, there are places where people can be active, such as the Quezon Memorial Circle, University of the Philippines Academic Oval and Tomas Morato Avenue during car-free Sundays.
The construction of additional fitness and recreational spaces is set to be a game-changer for the widely populated city and other nearby areas within Metro Manila. These new spaces will also contribute to making the city’s streets more pedestrian-friendly, especially with the planned Elevated Landscape Promenade connecting the Wildlife Center to the main area of Quezon Memorial Circle.
“The DENR, which has jurisdiction over parks and public lands, can support the program. We are committed to do so,” Lotilla said.
He said the project requires minimal budget but will make a significant impact to many.
“It can also help revive certain sports in communities like softball and baseball, where we were known to be excellent in the early 1900s. Putting up a diamond (for softball and baseball) is not expensive, which can also be used in other kinds of activities like music and others,” Lotilla said.
Gregorio also shared plans to coordinate with the Wushu Federation of the Philippines to regularly conduct programs within parks and public spaces.
Wushu disciplines such as taolu, which involves choreographed routines using weapons, and tai-chi, which is focused on slow and fluid movement for health and balance, are ideal for such settings and can be easily adopted by the citizens.
“I’m so excited that Sec. Lotilla is very open to all these possibilities,” Gregorio said.
The DENR is likewise exploring the possibility of collaborating with the PSC to enhance its forest land management programs, transforming natural landscapes into dynamic platforms that encourage physical activities. Among the activities are mountain biking, hiking, trail running, and obstacle sports — all of which are seen as potential consistent producers of medals in global competitions.
“What we are doing now is we’re going to put up regional centers all over the country, as long as the province or the city has a facility and they adopt a sport,” Gregorio said.
The DENR is just one of several national agencies the PSC is working with, in line with the directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen grassroots sports development and promote sports tourism.
Gregorio have also met with Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara to craft a new national program that provides training equipment and improves capabilities of teachers and coaches through the PSC’s Philippine Sports Institute.
The country is also positioning itself to host big-ticket tournaments, further cementing its potential as a sports tourism hub. The PSC grabbed major support for this objective from the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Tourism. (PNA)