PhilSeven Foundation Inc., the corporate social arm of Philippine Seven Corp., the exclusive local licensor of 7-Eleven convenience store chain, brings the gift of active play to preschool kids through a newly constructed community playground in Barangay Langkaan 2, Dasmariñas City in Cavite.
The community playground, located adjacent to a day care center, is the inaugural donation under PFI’s “Everyday Play” project, which supports and promotes child-friendly and healthy communities by building accessible playground parks. The playground offers a comfortable space filled with colorful and exciting play equipment for young children.
Parallel to PFI’s belief in the importance of education in creating a better future for today’s generation of Filipino kids, the foundation’s latest project seeks to impart the joy and benefits of fun learning and wholistic child development through safe outdoor play.
“Outdoor play is not just about having fun. It is a vital part of childhood that helps children develop physical strength, coordination and balance. It can also provide opportunities for children to learn and develop social skills, a healthier sense of self, sense of connection and self care skills,” says Philippine Seven Foundation head Israelita Ferrer-Lequin.
The value of play is increasingly recognized in various research studies, as mounting evidence show that kids who engage in physical activities like play and sports grow up happier, fitter, smarter, creative and more socially adept adults.
“These days, Metro Manila appears to be in a relentless pursuit to build more buildings and malls. And residential areas are becoming more congested. Progress is good, but the huge appetite for urban space seems to overlook the need to develop more parks, particularly playground parks for children or even conserve more open green spaces. Which could be depressing when you consider how studies have long shown that parks and open spaces provide both health and economic benefits to a city and its people,” says Ferrer-Lequin.
Inspired to bring out the best in every Filipino kid through safe, active play, Ferrer-Lequin says the playground donation comes at a perfect timing to underscore the role of play in fostering a healthier generation of children.
“With all the modern gadgets and very few accessible play spaces, children nowadays are engaging in less physical activity thus they are often unhealthy, they are prone to obesity. Add to this the dilemma of underdeveloped skills like empathy, collaboration, problem-solving and creativity,” she says.
PFI envisions working together with various sectors, volunteers and local officials to have convenient playground structures across metro locations and in nearby provinces so that more kids and their families will get to enjoy more quality play time together.
“Everyone has a shared responsibility and moral obligation to prioritize and uphold the universal right of a child to safe, healthy play. With this ongoing effort, it is PFI’s goal to reach more suitable play locations and hopefully, successfully build more structures with the support of more people and groups. It’s high time that we shape better communities, and we can only do so by empowering the young through interactive recreational play,” says Ferrer-Lequin.
PFI plans to build more playground projects in Caloocan City, Quezon City and Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.
The “Everyday Play” project is one of core focus advocacies launched under PSC’s corporate philanthropy arm, PFI, which began in December 2007.