Angara: Parks at open spaces malaking tulong sa mental health

Naniniwala si Senator Sonny Angara na malaki ang maitutulong ng mga parke at open spaces sa pagharap ng ilang tao sa mga mental health issues.

Kayat isinusulong ni Angara ang pagpapatayo ng mga karagdagang parke at recreational facilities, gayundin ang pagsasa-ayos ng open spaces. Nabanggit niya na base sa datos mula sa Department of Health (DOH), may 3.6 milyong Filipino ang nakakaranas ng  mental, neurological and substance use disorders.. “These are issues that cannot be fully addressed overnight but there are some things that we can do immediately to help. Putting up more parks, recreational and sports facilities and including open spaces in urban planning will go a long way in improving the physical and mental well-being of our people, particularly those who reside in highly-urbanized areas,” aniya. Sa naging pagdinig sa Senado sa 2024 budget ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), ibinahagi ni Angara ang kanyang suhestiyon na magtayo ng mga parke at recreational facilities. Aniya, halos nakumpleto naman na ng kagawaran ang pagsasa-ayos ng mga kalsada at malalaking imprastraktura. “We could expand the concept of public works to include the development of parks, esplanades and other similar projects. Admittedly space is a problem especially with the metropolitan areas but we can always be creative in how we utilize smaller spaces,” sabi pa nito. Dagdag paliwanag ni Angara: “The goal here is to make our people less confined and to encourage them to go out more, engage in physical activities and interact with people.”