Pasig River clean-up campaign gets a push

The efforts to rehabilitate Pasig River received a boost this week after President Arroyo led a "fun run" at the Global City in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Sunday to raise public awareness on the need to clean and revive the river.

Joining Mrs. Arroyo in the half-kilometer fun run were former President Fidel Ramos and members of various publications and radio and television stations. The President had just returned from an overnight visit to Mindanao.

The event was staged by the Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. — Piso Para sa Pasig (CGFI-PPP) in partnership with the Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. and the Bonifacio Estate Services Corp.

The President and Ramos joined the joggers in a fitness exercise at the vast green lawns of the Global City.

Among those present were former First Lady Amelita "Ming" Ramos, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga, singer Jim Paredes, Angel Ramos-Jonse, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Imelda Sarmiento, Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. president chief executive officer Ricardo Pascua and Boots Anson Roa.

The organizers said the fun run also launched the annual Pasig River Heritage Marathon slated for February 2002 and eve-ry last Sunday of February thereafter.

They said they hope the 42-kilometer annual marathon from Intramuros in Manila to the Global City would help raise awareness on the need to sustain the cleanup of the Pasig River.

"Everyone must do their part," Mrs. Ramos said, adding the cleanup of the river remains a government responsibility but private groups and the public are expected to actively participate in the rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

Mrs. Ramos, who has headed the 15-year rehabilitation and clean-up of the Pasig River during her husband’s term, appealed to everyone to help in the cleanup of the river. — Paolo Romero