50k join Run 2 Plant

AT LEAST 50,000 runners from all over Cebu Province participated in the free running and planting activity  dubbed Run 2 Plant for Greenin Philippines of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) through its Greenin Philippines Program.

Naga City and Cordova anchored the central events and gathered a combined 5,000 runners. Naga City had  3,000 while 2,000 joined in Cordova town.

The event was held simultaneously in 40 local municipalities and component cities in the province, including Mandaue City last Saturday.

However,  Marge Gravador, executive director of RAFI Integrated Development,  said there were some municipalities that postponed the run due to heavy rains brought by tropical depression “Gorio.” She identified the towns of Madredijos and Sogod which postponed the activity because of heavy downpour.

Gravador also said  they were able to plant 4,000 indigenous seedlings after the five-kilometer run in the 10-hectare site in barnagay Tuyan, Naga City. There were also around 1,000 mangrove propagules planted at a one-hectare planting site in Cordova town.

Some participating schools and towns outside Cebu also took part in the event.  These were Nabunturan in Compostela Valley, St. Mary’s Academy in Tagum, Davao del Norte, Sacred Heart School in Iligan, Notre Dame University in North Cotabato and Holy Cross of Bansalan in Davao del Norte.

The activity is in line with the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month.  /correspondent Joy Cherry Quito