THERE’S a new fun-filled and kid-friendly place in Silay City.
A world-class children’s playground called “Hampangan” was unveiled at the public plaza of Silay City in Negros Occidental Thursday, September 7.
Mayor Mark Golez and Dino Jalandoni, director of Super Lucky Beagler Inc. (SLBI), led the ribbon-cutting rites as witnessed by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz, PCSO Bacolod branch manager Jose Manuel Villagracia, Vice Mayor Joedith Gallego, and Councilors Aileen Javier and Thomas Maynard Ledesma.
Also present were the mayor’s mom Tess Golez and grandmother Elise Jison as well as the group of Negros Volunteers for Change Foundation’s Millie Kilayko.
The children’s playground, which costs P5 million, was donated by the SLBI, a private amusement and recreation company based in Silay, as part of their corporate social responsibility project in partnership with the PCSO.
It is situated on a 400-square meter space within the plaza, with various play equipment from Denmark and a section for Filipino games and a story-telling area.
“Hampangan” is designed with the highest safety and environmental standards and also equipped with the use of non-toxic materials that will not fade, crack, or corrode.
Golez, in his welcome message, expressed his gratitude to the donors and to all those who in one way or another helped make the project a reality.
He said playgrounds are crucial for the overall development of children and can create a huge positive impact by relaxing and refreshing a kid’s mind.
The mayor said he is hoping that the new playground will enable children especially Silaynon kids to engage themselves more in learning while becoming more sociable.
Golez also mentioned Article 31 of the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Children, which recognizes the children’s rights to: “rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities to participate fully in cultural and artistic life.”
The mayor said he believes that children have a right to feel safe, to play, and to develop confidence in themselves.
Golez said the playground shall be a space where children can play, rest, and feel safe. It is a space of security in this vulnerable environment and a fundamental to a healthy and happy childhood, he added.
Jalandoni said a playground is important for children as a venue for them to learn to imagine, grow as a person, and make friends.
“It is the first world-class children’s playground in the city that we are also planning to build in other communities,” he added.
Jalandoni said the playground is one of the continuing projects of the SLBI primarily for children’s recreation.
Corpuz said he is hoping that through the “Hampangan,” children will be able to realize the importance of traditional games instead of getting more used to gadgets nowadays.