Green run all set

CEBU, Philippines -  As the second run of the province-wide running and planting event, Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines is fast approaching, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) through its Integrated Development unit and partners have already made the necessary preparations for June 30, including security and order.

During the event, 38 Talisay City policemen, 20 barangay tanods, 30 barangay intelligence network officers, and three ambulances with a medical team will be mobilized.

The Talisay City Police will take the lead in traffic and crowd control. Checkpoints will be put up inside Vista Grande.

Vehicles must have a parking pass issued by RAFI to be able to enter Vista Grande, otherwise they have to be parked at Gaisano Fiesta Mall, Tabunok, Talisay City.

Parking pass will be issued on June 27, Wednesday, at RAFI Main Office located in Lopez Jaena St., Barangay Parian, Cebu City.

For the central event, assembly time and area will be at 5 a.m. at the junction of Pacific Heights and Vista Grande. The run starts at 6 a.m. while the planting is at 7 a.m. While drinking stations will be provided, runners should bring their own water bottles for there will be no plastic cups to avoid litter.

This year, 7,500 participants, surpassing the 5,000 target last year, are expected to join the central event in Jaclupan, Talisay City.

 Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines targets to plant 220,000, doubling last year’s target of 100,000, native tree seedlings all over Cebu Province. Registration closed last Saturday.

Through Executive Order No. 3 issued by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia last year, local government units of the 51 towns and component cities of Cebu are mandated to participate in the event, thus institutionalizing the event in the entire province.

Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines 2012 is organized in collaboration with the Cebu Provincial Government, Aboitiz Equity Venture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Talisay City local government unit and other LGUs in Cebu, and various government and private institutions.

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 with the goal of bringing back the country’s forest cover.

GREENIN Philippines Program stands for Generation REdemption and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives, 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. RAFI’s other focus areas are Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, and Education.

For more information about Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines, please contact 418-7234 loc. 515 and look for Myryl Mendoza, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph  (BANAT NEWS)