In line with the provincial vision of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos for a more “livable, sustainable and resilient” home for Ilocanos, senior board member Matthew Marcos Manotoc said a least nine more children’s parks will be put up this year.
“Public spaces are really that important, not just for the community, but for families and even for individuals,” he said.
The first children’s-playground-cum-fitness-park was opened in Laoag City right in front of the provincial capitol in December 2016.
Four other facilities have been put up in Batac City and in the towns of Badoc, Bacarra, and Dingras.
“It’s been shown that it has physiological and psychological effects, that humans are happier around nature,” Manotoc said.
“Hopefully, we can create more of these green spaces that can contribute to health and subsequently, increasing human productivity—and not just physical health, but also mental health,” he added.
The Ilocos Norte provincial government allocated a budget for the construction of nine additional parks, but the beneficiary towns have yet to be identified because they are still coordinating with the Department of Education, Manotoc said.