Marikina ‘takbo’ to raise fund for tree-planting drive

MANILA, Philippines - Over 5,000 runners are expected to join the Takbo para sa Marikina Watershed on Sept. 20 at the Marikina River Park starting at 6 a.m.

The event, held in the city every year since 2012, aims to raise funds for the continuous tree-planting project and rehabilitation of the 220 hectares of the 27,000-hectare Marikina Watershed.

According to experts, 28 million trees must be planted and grown at the Marikina Watershed for it to effectively retain rain water and prevent swelling of the rivers which eventually causes flooding like what happened during Ondoy in 2009.

“We have to plant more trees because according to the Marikina Watershed Initiative, the watershed’s forest cover is only at 20-30 percent. In 2009, it was at 10 percent,” said Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman.

Registration is ongoing at the Marikina City Hall (Community Relations Office and Office of the Mayor) and at the Takbo para sa Marikina Watershed booths at SM Marikina, SM San Mateo, SM Masinag, CMP Mall, and Riverbanks Mall.

Events on tap are 3K, 5K at 10K with fee pegged at P600, inclusive of a race kit, which consists of singlet, belt bag at freebies.

The Takbo para sa Marikina Watershed is sponsored by Armscor, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), Coats Manila Bay, Smart, Manila Water, SMB, Ortigas and Co., One Meralco Foundation, and Danny Chua.

For details, call (02) 646-1634.