Sunday, March 5, 2023

Optimal sports and recreation: its importance in building healthy and sustainable communities

Vision | Success Indicator 09 of 25 | Updated March 05, 2023 1400H PhST

THE MUNICIPALITY OF ROSARIO BATANGAS has a vision statement with both "outward-looking" and "inward-looking" components, ten vision elements, and 25 success indicators. However, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2016-2-2030, Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) 2016-2025, and Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) of 2020-2022 and 2022-2025 iterations do not provide clear descriptions of these elements. Therefore, we will present our interpretation of these vision elements in a series of posts, using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, and CALABARZON Regional Development Plan (RDP): 2017-2022 Midterm Update as a guide. Our goal is to show how achieving these vision elements can improve the lives of the people of Rosario and lead to prosperity. This is the ninth post of a 25-part series.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS AND RECREATION for the people of Rosario, Batangas.

Sports and recreation are essential for promoting physical and mental health, building social connections, and enhancing personal skills. By promoting and providing opportunities for sports and recreation, the community of Rosario can work towards achieving their vision of a prosperous and healthy society.

In fact, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize the importance of sports and recreation in building healthy and sustainable communities. The goals highlight the need for accessible, inclusive, and safe spaces for sports and recreation, as well as the promotion of healthy lifestyles and physical activity.

The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 and the CALABARZON Regional Development Plan (RDP): 2017-2022 Midterm Update also emphasize the importance of sports and recreation in improving the quality of life of Filipinos, particularly in promoting physical and mental health, and building social connections.

According to the current Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2016-2030, the Local Government Unit of Rosario places great importance on promoting sports and recreation, particularly among the youth, as a means for the community to engage in wholesome and healthful activities during their leisure time. The municipality boasts a variety of recreational facilities, including basketball courts (both public and private), volleyball courts, private tennis courts, swimming pools, billiard halls, cockpit arenas, a racing circuit, track and field facilities, a municipal park and playground, and a municipal library.

The Office of the Municipal Mayor has been actively organizing basketball and volleyball tournaments in the barangays, which have encouraged participation among constituents. The Municipal Women’s Coordinating Council has also been promoting sports activities for women, sponsoring inter-barangay volleyball tournaments, as well as other activities such as sack and ball relay, tug of war, and obstacle races.

By investing in sports facilities, organizing sports events and activities, and promoting healthy lifestyles, the community of Rosario can create a vibrant and active community. Not only will this improve the physical and mental well-being of the residents, but it will also create opportunities for social interaction and personal growth.

To institutionalize sports, recreation, arts, and culture management in the municipality, it is our recommendation that the Office of the Mayor create a Municipal Sports, Recreation, Arts, and Culture Unit (MSRACU) responsible for developing a comprehensive program for these sectors. This will provide a permanent place for sports, recreation, arts, and culture in the governance of the municipality.

According to the standard for a municipal park, which is 500 square meters per 1000 population, the municipality should have acquired at least 10.7 hectares of land by 2030. The existing Laurel Park, however, falls short of this standard, with an effective area for recreational purposes of only 5,700 square meters after deducting the portion used by the Municipal Trial Court and Regional Trial Court, the Prosecutors Office, and the Poblacion C Barangay Hall. Therefore, it is necessary for the municipality to acquire additional land to meet the standard and adequately provide for the recreational needs of its population.

Sports and recreation can also have economic benefits for the community. By attracting visitors to sports events and facilities, the community can generate revenue and support local businesses.

The Batangas Racing Circuit, located in Barangay Maligaya, offers an alternative venue for sports enthusiasts by featuring car racing and motocross events. This facility has become a distinguishing feature of the municipality, attracting visitors from neighboring areas and participation from racers, including famous movie actors and actresses, from Metro Manila.

WE BELIEVE that promoting optimal sports and recreation is a key success indicator of the vision statement of Rosario, Batangas. By investing in these areas, the community can improve the quality of life of its residents, build a stronger social fabric, and create economic opportunities for the community.

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