EDSA Run in Bikol

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – Bikol, particularly Legazpi City in Albay, is one of the 10 areas in the country which will carry out the Edsa Run outside Metro Manila on February 27.

The fundraiser run, spearheaded by the Ninoy and Cory Foundation (NCAF) will not only commemorate the 1986 People Power Revolution but help build 25,000 classrooms across the country.

The Bicol Run is a joint undertaking of the civil society, government and private sectors with the Pinoy Power Bicol Coalition of Volunteers (PPBCV) at the helm.

Said fun run hopes to raise funds from the donations of institutions and runners themselves via contributions and the purchase of t-shirts. So far, some P35,000 donations were received.

PPBCV President Ofelia Samar-Sy, M.D. said in yesterday’s meeting that a target of 8,000 participants may be feasible, what with the early commitment of would-be participants.

The Philippine National Police along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines assured some 2,000 runners; 3,000 intermediate pupils, high school and college students; 1,000 employees from government offices and local government units; some 700 from the private sector and civic organizations.

The Bicol Run secretariat said that runners from Naga City have signified their intention to join.

Dr. Sy said that pre-registration is extended until February 18 especially for those ordering the specially designed T-shirt, the official garb of the fun run. Inscribed in said t-shirt aside from proclaiming the Bicol Run is the caption, I am a classroom donor.

Walk-in participants are likewise encouraged to register early on the day of the run, February 27 starting 3:30 a.m. at the Peñaranda Park where the jog will commence up to Embarcadero in Legazpi City.

Bicol Run will begin 5:30 in the morning, the same time that Edsa Run and other provincial runs will commence.

A runner can select whether to take 3 kilometers or the 5 kilometers.

As this is a fun run, the organizers will start with a warm-up exercise, set up three to five water stations with bands to encourage them to finish the course.

Prizes await the fastest runners while all finishers will receive certificates of completion, Sy added.

Other provincial run will be held in Vigan, Ilocor Sur; Clark, Pampanga; the cities of Cebu, Davao, Dipolog, Zamboanga; and the provinces of Zambales, Sultan Kudarat and Zamboanga, Sibugay.

NCAF President Rafael Lopa said that the run is a new form of people power that will build classrooms for the Department of Education (DepEd).

NCAF believes that the project will help the education department reduce the severe classroom shortage in the country.