P-Noy launches 'Ehersisyo Pangkalusugan'

Manila, Philippines - President Aquino is set to go biking in Quezon City today to encourage Filipinos to exercise regularly for good health.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said she would walk along with presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda and Presidential Commu-nications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang as part of the program.

Other Cabinet officials led by Health Secretary Enrique Ona will also join the President in launching the nationwide fitness event dubbed Ehersisyo Pang-kalusugan Para sa Lahat 2011.

Valte encouraged the public to join the event that would start at 6 a.m. and choose from the different starting points Trinoma, University of the Philippines and Sandiganbayan, all in Quezon City.

She said the officials could either run, walk, bike or do some other sports activities.

Ona said that the exercise program featuring different sports activities was meant to encourage all Filipinos to get into the healthy habit of exercising regularly to combat illnesses.

Exercise is for everyone. All ages from all walks of life can and must engage in regular physical activity, Ona said.

According to the Department of Health, which is at the forefront of this effort, non-communicable diseases, mainly cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, represent a leading threat to human health and development.

To address this, the DOH is working in close coordination with the Civil Service Commission and other stake-holders to prevent, control and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases through advocacy and promotion of healthy lifestyle practices.

It suggests regular physical activity such as walking, jogging, running, biking, volleyball, sipa, arnis, futsal, wall climbing, badminton, basketball, aerobics for kids and tai-chi/pilates and yoga.

This activity will be participated in by national government and local govern-ment employees, non-government organizations, government and privately owned hospital staff, medical professionals, schools and private individuals.