Camsur marathon puts focus on environment

PILI, Camarines Sur, Philippines -  – The second Summit Water Camsur Marathon, which drew a record field of 21,000 runners last Sunday, is way beyond the sport itself.

Camsur Gov. LRay Villafuerte said more than the trophies, medals and cash prizes that were given away, the event meant so much more for the environment.

He said for every registered runner, the country’s No. 1 sports tourism destination has vowed to plant 10 trees, meaning for this event, they will plant 210,000 trees.

“It’s part of our advocacy. That’s why the theme of this year’s race is Race to a Greener Philippines,” said the governor, an avid runner, wake boarder and cyclist himself.

“It’s under the El Verde program, which aims to plant 12 million trees in our province by 2012. So far we’ve planted more than three million trees,” he said.

The program was launched last Feb. 23, and President Aquino came over to give his blessings.

That day alone, Villafuerte said his province planted 525,000 trees, including 64,000 trees in one site alone, and made it to the Guinness Book of World Records.

“We were the first province to answer the government’s call for a greener Philippines. And we’re happy to say that we’re the only one doing it with passion,” said Villafuerte.

“We are on target,” he added.

This way, the province of Camarines Sur plays a huge role in spreading the awareness through the numerous sports events being held here.

Last month, Camarines Watersports Complex hosted the Cobra Ironman Triathlon, and for the same number of entries, trees were planted 10 times more.

“This way, each participant indirectly helps before 10 trees are planted for each of them,” Villafuerte said.

“And no other province does this,” he said, adding that Camarines Sur, made up of half a million hectares, can achieve its goal by 2012.

“Do we have the space for 12 million trees? Yes, we do. And we will keep on planting them,” he said.