A COMPREHENSIVE yet cost-effective wellness program for teaching and non-teaching personnel is needed by each one to face the challenges brought by this pandemic. One of our schools in DepEd Davao Occidental had recently launched its version they called DANGA. Danga, a Manobo term for “play,” is an annual wellness program of Lawa National High School. Now, DANGA is an acronym to Demonstrate Active lifestyles to Nurture General Well-being At workplace through play (DANGA).
The DANGA 2020 aims to provide an avenue for the employees to engage in sports activities to enhance physical fitness. The sports festival strives to promote physical development and social interaction in an affable and competitive atmosphere with fun and recreation. This concept is proposed in order to establish camaraderie among the personnel in the school.
This will be the annual activity of the school which seeks to unite the personnel from different learning areas in the school. This is designed to improve the health and well-being of all employees and reduce or eliminate personal problems affecting employees’ health and work productivity.
Furthermore, in recognition of their vital role in nation-building and in paying tribute to their noble contributions, it is just right and timely that we recognize the importance of their well-being and holistic development especially during this period of crisis through this initiative.
The Wellness Program will strive to increase the well-being and productivity of all employees by enhancing all aspects of health. The program seeks to increase awareness of positive health behaviors, to motivate employees to voluntarily adopt healthier behaviors, and to provide opportunities and a supportive environment to foster positive lifestyle changes. It is also in this way that school employees can cope up with stressors and adverse health triggers.
Wellness activities may be scheduled during the following normal work times: before work, during work, between work (lunch, after work. However, flexible schedules are allowed in order to provide adequate time to participate in wellness activities.
Among the target results/state of being of the program are healthy, active employees incur lower health costs, employees who take advantage of wellness are more productive, physically active employees are healthier and programs inspire important behavior changes.
According to the school head, Mr. Genciano Cambalon and MAPEH Coordinator and DANGA 2000 Focal Person Roderick Lutang, the wellness program consists of activities that include awareness, lifestyle change, and a supportive environment.
Each week is composed of the following activities: Marching Monday - This is a wellness strategy that encourages walking and not riding on Mondays. Traditional Tuesday - Traditional Tuesday is only to remind everyone that there is such a thing as alternative healthcare. This includes awareness on detoxifying, boosting the immune system, and the likes. Wiggle it Wednesday - It’s Zumba Time! Wednesdays (3:30- 4:30 PM) are dedicated to move and shake the whole body. Thoughtful Thursday - This is a reminder to think of family to work out together, or plan some weekend activities together, weekend activities together, or make a project together. This is one way of keeping one’s social life healthy. Fiber Friday - This is a strategy to encourage everyone to eat fruits and vegetables. No meat. Solo Saturday - Saturday is a time for the care giver’s self. It is like rewarding one’s self by indulging in the things one wants to do most-rest is included. Spiritual Sunday - Sunday is encouraged to be a time for the Supreme Being. It doesn’t matter how one calls his God. What really matters is that the soul is nourished and the faith is strengthened. Now, the program is serving its purpose: reduce, if not prevent, incidence of obesity among healthcare workers.
The supportive environment includes a smoke-free environment policy, policies and physical facilities that encourage physical activity, and continued encouragement for the canteen to offer healthy food options.
This Corner hopes that consistency to achieve sustainability of the program will be observed so it will not die its natural death, in turn, the program objectives will be attained.