Aquino leads launching of health program

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Sunday led the launching of a Department of Health (DOH) project to promote healthy lifestyle by riding a bike, which is his personal way to exercise.

As early as 7 a.m., the President, together with several of his Cabinet men, assembled at the Quezon City Memorial Circle to grace the kick-off of the DOH's "Ehersisyo Pangkalusugan Para sa Lahat 2011".

The said project is a public fitness and sports activity that aims to encourage everyone to indulge in exercises.

"Ang kalusugan po ay isang kayamanan na dapat nating bigyang-halaga, at isang paraan po ang regular na pag-eehersisyo para pangalagaan ito," Aquino said in his speech.

He emphasized the importance of exercise in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and diabetes.

"Maraming Pilipino po ang nalalagay sa peligro ang kalusugan dahil sa NCD, na dulot ng hindi pag-eehersisyo at hindi tamang pag-kain. Kaya naman seryoso po tayo sa pagtutulak ng mga programa tulad ng isinasagawa natin ngayon," he added.

President Aquino was joined by Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Social Welfare Dinky Soliman, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, and spokespersons Edwin Lacierda and Ramon Carandang during the event.

Aquino's former running mate Manuel "Mar" Roxas, who will soon join the Cabinet, was also present at the event.

The project was also supported by Aquino's youngest sister actress Kris and other television personalities, such as Richard Gomez and wife Representative Lucy Torres, Jackie Lou Blanco, Ronnie Ricketts and his wife Maris.

Carandang said President Aquino, who is a known smoker, really makes time to have biking as his "only" way of exercise.

"Pag-uwi nya sa Tarlac, dala nya bike nya. And kwento nya minsan kahit sa loob ng (PSG) compound nagbibike sya para lang mag-exercise," he said.

When asked if Aquino has mentioned about quitting smoking, Carandang said "he didn't say anything about that. It was not discussed."

Aside from biking, there were simultaneous sports activities organized by the DOH, including three-kilometer jogging/walking from the University of the Philippines-Diliman Sunken Garden to Quezon City Circle, and the two-kilometer jogging/walking from North Ave.-Trinoma (Open Parking Area) to Quezon City Circle.

An array of physical activities were also held, such as aerobics for kids, volleyball, badminton and Tai Chi. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)