Cebu on track of ‘wellness hub’ goal

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of  Trade and Industry-Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) is encouraging other players in the health and wellness sector to join the Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC) to make an effective promotional strategy, making Cebu the total health and wellness hub in the Philippines.

DTI-CPO Director Nelia F. Navarro said that this is the time that players should unite and give their respective contributions to the industry, while the Philippines is suffering from effects of devastating calamities.

According to Navarro, industry sectors, such as the emerging health and wellness, among others, should not stop their efforts in reinforcing developmental actions to rebuild and sustain the economy.

Navarro noted not only the wide extension of  health and wellness services in Cebu, which is not limited to spas and massage centers, but also the strong popularity of holistic fitness and wellness like the increasing number of  Yoga studios and meditation centers.

She urged operators of Yoga studios and meditation centers to be part of the unified health and wellness group in Cebu through CHWC for them to be included in the creation of promotional programs that will be used for international selling missions and sales calls.

Navarro said this generation's health consciousness has evolved, and people are not just availing of traditional wellness services like massage, relaxing spa, among others, but are also getting themselves a more holistic wellness discipline which Yoga and meditation are known for.

Navarro added these kinds of services should be included in the total wellness package through the CHWC, noting the increasing demand from local customers and foreign visitors as well.

Moreover, Navarro said that this kind of holistic stress-unloading practice should also be given as incentives to the highly stressed business process outsourcing (BPO) employees, as it will not only provide clarity of mind, but will also boost energy and over health.

"BPO workers need this kind of  exercise and discipline [because] most of them have acquired bad habits of smoking, alcohol drinking as stress reliever," Navarro.

Navarro highly recommended special packages for BPO workers for fitness, Yoga, meditation, and other forms of exercise. —/JMD (FREEMAN)