Filipino runners are back on track.

A festive atmosphere with runners of all ages greeted the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) when it started to open the track ovals of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila and the Philsports compound in Pasig City last Tuesday.

PSC acting executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy said around 400 runners were recorded to have used the track ovals a day after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos ordered them to re-open these government sports facilities free to the public during his fourth State of the Nation Address last Monday.

The Chief Executive said the PSC should spearhead the promotion of active lifestyle while taking good care of the national athletes from the grassroots all the way to the elite level.

PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio didn’t wait long and immediately carried out the President’s order by opening the track ovals at RMSC, Philsports and Teachers Camp in Baguio City free to the public.

“Yesterday, we saw around 400 runners. At the start, there were only around 97 to 100 people using the track oval,” Iroy said.

“We’re expecting a lot of runners this weekend. The President opened the track ovals to promote an active and healthy citizenry.”

To give way for the training and preparation of the national team for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, the PSC set the availability of track ovals from 3 p.m. to 10 a.m. But Iroy stressed that they will still adjust the availability of the facilities for public consumption to accommodate more runners without compromising their safety and the training of the national athletes.

“The usual time will be from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. but it will be interrupted if there will be big events that will happen at the Rizal Memorial like football games. We could move the schedule in the morning so that the people can still continue exercising,” Iroy said, adding that they will make the facilities conducive to runners from all walk of life.

“At least now, they have an option. They can exercise safely because we provide security, we would turn on the lights for night runners and we will have water fountains near the oval.”

Aside from the track ovals, the PSC is also looking to open the swimming pools at both RMSC and Philsports for public consumption.

Iroy said they are already still ironing out the details to make sure accidents will be prevented.

“Chairman is just finalizing the details since there are a lot of people who like to swim. We are just prioritizing safety because we don’t want kids drowning in the pool,” Iroy said, adding that they are making sure that the pools will be safe even for casual swimmers.

“We are finalizing the safety details because the pools are nine feet deep.”