Solons help sought for Pasig run

MANILA, Philippines - Organizers of the ABS-CBN Foundation’s “Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig” (KBPIP) have sought the help of some of the country legislators to support the staging of the event slated Oct. 10 in several areas in Metro Manila.

Members of the House of Representatives, including Lani Mercado (2nd district, Cavite), Gina de Venecia (4th district, Pangasinan), Bernadette Herrera (Bagong Henerasyon Party List), JV Ejercito (San Juan), Theresa Bonoan-David (4th district, Manila) and Mitus Magsaysay (1st district, Zambales), were present during the event’s presentation at the Nationalist People’s Coalition Club House No. 8 in New Manila, Quezon City.

The event, which was also attended by Barangay Ginebra team official Henry Cojuangco and former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, was hosted by Kimmy Cojuangco.

Monchet Olives, a strategic planning chief of ABS-CBN, briefed the legislators on the event and their effort to seek funds to clean up the Pasig River.

“If your heart comes in, things happen and we would need your help,” said Olives.

The foot race, which features the 3K, 5K and 10K categories, is held to generate public awareness on the importance of cleaning up the Pasig River. Organizers also hope to lure 120,000 registered runners in a bid to reset the current Guinness Book of World Records of 110,000 held by the 1988 “Bay to Breakers” race in San Francisco, US.

So far, the Run for Pasig has drawn commitments from at least 105,000 participants coming from colleges and universities, government agencies, private companies and corporations as well as from the growing running community.

This year’s run will have three different starting points - SM Mall of Asia for 3K, CCP Complex for 5K, and Ayala Triangle for 10K. Instead of a finisher’s shirt, participants will get a bracelet made by KBPIP settlers from recycled materials.

The record feat, organizers said, means more awareness, which could hopefully attract more people to help in the cause, not only to clean up the river but also to prevent the public from dumping more waste into the water way.

Last year, the KBPIP organized the “Philippine International Marathon: A Run for the Pasig River”. The race attracted over 23,000 participants, according to ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez.