CEBU CITY, June 26 (PIA) --- A total of 2,300 runners joined this year’s Cebu Run for the Rivers in celebration of Environment Month this June.
As early as 4:00 a.m. on June 22, the runners started assembling at the SM Northwing Parking Area for the kick-off program and warm-up exercises.
During the brief program before the run started, Dennis Wong of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CCCI) thanked the organizers and the participants for supporting their advocacy to rehabilitate the rivers in Cebu.
The proceeds of the run will be used to rehabilitate Guadalupe River.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo said the run also aims to raise awareness among Cebuanos the need for more public participation in cleaning up the rivers.
“As much as possible, we want not only in Cebu and other areas we can demonstrate that there is a need for all citizens to help clean up our rivers, and conserve our environment,” he said.
Montejo said he is glad to see the huge turnout of runners for this year’s event, although he hopes this will not be the biggest crowd yet.
“I hope that this is not the biggest, that next year will be the biggest and that it will be growing every year,” he said.
Wong said that at the start of the event, the number of runners reached 2,300 already, and he is positive that the participants will reach 2,500 at the end of the event.
Last year, 2,100 runners joined the Run for the Rivers.
Wong said DENR and CCCI will choose which area in Mahiga or Butuanon or Guadalupe River they will adopt to use the proceeds on for this year.
“This is something that we will have to sit down and discuss. Last year we did some tree planting in Mahiga Creek together with Cebu Academe network.”
Wong cited the support of the academe in Cebu whose presence during the run was in “full force” along with the Department of Education, CHED, Cebu Academe Network, solid waste management organizations, wastewater management, Cebu City and provincial government. (rmn/Angie Lou Kaye Sanico, PIT Intern/PIA-Cebu)