President Noynoy bikes to promote health

Apparently reluctant to quit smoking, President Benigno S. Aquino III instead went biking Sunday to promote a healthy lifestyle among Filipinos.

The President encouraged Filipinos to exercise regularly to avoid acquiring non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are among the leading causes of death in the country.

President Aquino, during the launch of a fitness event by the Department of Health (DoH) at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, cautioned that Filipinos risk future heart problems if they are physically inactive and don’t have proper food diet.

“Health is wealth and having regular exercise is one way to protect our health. Based on recent studies, regular exercises help prevent non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and diabetes, which are one of the leading causes of death in the world,” he said in Filipino, before mounting his bike for a tour around the public park.

“Many Filipinos are having health problems such to NCD that is caused by lack of exercise and improper diet. That’s why we are serious in promoting this kind of program today,” he added.

After his speech, the 51-year-old President, clad in a yellow sports shirt and black shorts and rubber shoes, joined more than a hundred bikers in going around the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

He was joined by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and other Cabinet members as well as former Sen. Mar Roxas who were also in their sports outfit during the fitness event.

Kris Aquino, the President’s sister, and her son Joshua, were also spotted at the health activity that promoted biking, running, brisk walking, and other sports activities at the park.

Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) said the President usually goes biking whenever he has free time.

The President, who took up biking as a New Year’s resolution to stay healthy, however, is not about to kick his smoking habit.

When asked if the President is considering kicking his smoking habit, Carandang said “He didn’t say anything like that. It was not discussed and it was not asked.”

In the same speech at the wellness program, the President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to universal health care for Filipinos.

He noted that 40 percent of the Filipino people have not yet undergone treatment under a health professional.

He said the government has also deployed 10,000 nurses to extend assistance to poor communities under the “RN Heals” program.

“In less than a year, we have seen the results of our reform agenda. We will continue to find solution to solve our problems we inherited. We will need a healthy and strong nation to hasten our economic prosperity. Our nation is ready to sprint to the finish line wherein all Filipino are winners,” he said.

Meanwhile, the fitness event, meantime, provided a rare occasion for the public to see Ochoa and Roxas in one place.

The two close allies of the President were seen exchanging brief pleasantries at the fitness event despite rumors of an imminent conflict of their jobs in the Cabinet.

Roxas is reportedly being groomed as the new Presidential Chief of Staff, whose functions may overlap the role of the Executive Secretary dubbed as the Little President.

An administrative order is currently being drafted to define the job description of Roxas and avoid overlapping of functions with other Cabinet officials.

Roxas, however, declined to comment about his forthcoming job at the Palace, saying it was best to wait for the official announcement.

By GENALYN D. KABILING