OVER 775 KILOS OF WASTE COLLECTED IN ECO RUN 5TH EDITION

Celebrating Philippine Environment Month 2024

FRIDAY‒This year’s 5th Edition of the Eco Run witnessed a fun-filled morning of runners in and out of Manolo Fortich participating with both goals in mind: to fulfill physical fitness and contribute to the sole initiative of the celebration of Philippine Environment Month by collecting waste along the two routes of the Eco Run at Manolo Fortich last June 28, 2024.

The two routes of the Eco Run started at the Municipal Gymnasium to Camp Fabia, measuring up to six kilometers in distance, while the other route started at Barangay Agusan Canyon Covered Court and finished at Camp Fabia, measuring up to five kilometers. Participants were given the chance to choose which route to take with free registration either online or walk-in.

Among the excited runners and participants was Sangguniang Bayan Member and Committee Chairperson on Environment Coun. Rina E. Quiño. Before the run started, she shared with the participants how their participation creates a big impact on the environment: “We are thankful of this initiative kay ma-observe nato na kinahanglan nato e-preserve, protect, and be aware nga kinahanglan nato ampingan ang atong kinaiyahan. At the same time, makapasingot usab ta. Kay with this activity, dako na kaayo ni nga tabang para sa atong community.”

A total of 166 runners registered from both routes and started the morning with a warmup followed by the Eco Run at 6:15 in the morning. Sacks were tagged along as collections of different kinds of waste and trash found along the pathways of the route were found by most runners. Wastes such as cellophanes, cans, empty bottles and glasses, sachets, plastic wrappers, and even worn-out clothes and shoes were collected.

At the finish line, participants measured their collected waste using weighing scales, where the kilograms were indicated on their certificate of participation. Goods such as trays of eggs, biscuits, canned goods, and the like were given as prizes depending on the number of kilos each participant was able to collect. As the organizing office, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) recorded a sum of 775 kilos of waste collected.

Kourdi Karen, 38 years old, a trail runner from Cagayan de Oro City, is among the first participants of the 6-Kilometer route who finished early. As a first-time joiner of the Eco Run, she shares how the movement allows the community to be responsible: “First time nako and nice kaayo siya nga advocacy kay ang people sa community ma unite sila sa pag pick up sa mga trash. So, I really encourage everyone to be responsible sa atong paglabay sa atong mga basura, dili lang bisag asa, kay maka damage man siya na nature and sa environment.”

This year’s 5th Edition of the Eco Run is in line with the theme of the Philippine Environment Month, “Our environment, our Earth,” which is a reminder that practicing responsibility in maintaining the health of the environment and one’s personal health can be achievable.