Run to benefit Naga ridge, Cordova reef

CEBU, Philippines - The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) GREENIN Philippines Program has partnered with Naga City and Cordova as anchors of the central events in Cebu in this year’s Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines on June 29.

The free running and planting event will be held simultaneously in the 43 municipalities and component cities of the Province of Cebu.

Interested individuals may coordinate with their respective municipalities. Those from Cebu City can register either in Naga City or Cordova. 

This year’s central event run supports the ridge (Naga City) to reef (Cordova) perspective in biodiversity enhancement that takes into account enhancing not only upland vegetation but also coastal areas.

In Naga, participants will run a five-kilometer distance from the Naga City Hall to the 10-hectare planting site in Barangay Tuyan. Registration starts at 5 a.m. and gun start is at 6 a.m.

The Cordova central event will assemble at 5 a.m. at the municipal hall, and the run will start at 6 a.m. Runners will head to a two-hectare mangrove site where 20,000 mangrove propagules will be ready for planting.

The coasts and oceans have experienced severe irreversible depletion resulting to reduction of fish stocks and highly-damaged coastal habitats. The benefits of planting mangrove species in coastal areas include not only rehabilitating coastal habitats and supporting marine life, but also in carbon dioxide sequestration.

RAFI will field planting coaches to assist planters during planting.

To ensure the growth and survival of the native trees seedlings planted during the event, RAFI will initiate monthly nurturance activities with National Greening Program (NGP) partners and GREENIN Philippines Program volunteers.  

In Naga City, participants may contact Boy Hilado of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office at 489-8989.

Participants in  the Cordova run, may contact Joy Baguio of the Department of Agriculture at 236-3812 or Lily Ator of the Office of Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator at 236-4194. 

Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines is held annually every last Saturday of June in celebration of the Environment Month.

This event is in line with the national government’s National Greening Program (NGP) and tied to the DILG’s Billion Trees Program under NGP.

Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines, one of the components of GREENIN Philippines program, is a fun run and planting activity that provides a venue for every Filipino to contribute in rehabilitating and protecting our environment. It aims to expand the forest cover of the country.

The event is designed to promote healthy lifestyle by running and environment conservation by planting native tree species that will become vibrant forests in the next few years.

GREENIN Philippines Program, which stands for Generation REdemption and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives in the Philippines Program, is one of the programs under RAFI's Integrated Development focus area. It aims to replicate best practices in environmental protection, conservation, and rehabilitation to more places in the country for a greener Philippines. (FREEMAN)