ANTIPOLO CITY — The city government here is pushing for the promotion of alternative health care to support its existing health programs for residents.

This came as the local government has allowed the graduates of its training program for massage therapy to provide massage to the public starting next month at the Dimasalang Park, the city’s plaza located beside the Antipolo Cathedral.

Reyner Mercolesia, who took the massage therapy training program of the City Cooperative and Livelihood Office, thanked the city government for backing up its training program with concrete livelihood opportunities for the graduates.

Mercolesia is among the hundreds of trainees from poor families who passed the massage therapy program which is sanctioned by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The other day, Mayor Danilo Leyble allowed the use of part of the Dimasalang Park as venue for the massage sessions to be provided by the graduates.

Rowena Zapanta, CCLO officer-in-charge, said their massage course trainers are employees of the city government who have been accredited by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The massage and reflexology sessions at the park will tentatively start on March 13 and every Saturdays and Sundays of March and April, including Holy Week. Daily sessions will resume on May 1 in time for the city’s Maytime festivities dubbed as “Ang Tipulo” Festival.