July 28, 2012. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will hold today (July 28, 2012) the first ever aerobic marathon to promote awareness and raise funds to support the continuing efforts to save Manila Bay at the Liwasang Aurora, Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

Dubbed as “Aerothon for Manila Bay OK!”, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said the event is part of the One Day.One Bay Metrowide Waterways Clean-up Project under the Manila Bay OK! Campaign being spearheaded by DILG-National Capital Region in compliance with the Supreme Court decision to clean, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay.

“The Aerothon is one of several initiatives of the Department to generate awareness among the public and instill the importance on the benefits of a clean, safe and productive Manila Bay and the tributaries that discharge water to it,” said Robredo.

In August last year, DILG-NCR launched the Manila Bay OK! campaign with a one-day simultaneous clean-up activity in key areas in the metropolis where thousands of volunteers showed up with shovels, picks and strainers to participate in the cleaning up of Manila Bay and other waterways leading to it.

DILG-NCR Director Renato Brion said that the activity also aims to raise funds to buy cleaning implements of selected barangays in Metro Manila, while recovering plastic and polystyrene materials for recycling.

“Please show your support during the aerothon by going out and donating your clean and dry plastic and polystyrene materials for recycling,” Brion urged the public.

The event, which will start at 5:00AM, shall be participated in by barangays, national government agencies through the Association of Regional Executives in Metro Manila (AREMM), civil society organizations and the private sector. Participants are advised to wear any shade of blue aerobic workout clothing.

Expected to join the aerothon are: QC Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte, Councilor Alfred Vargas, Binibining Pilipinas Tourism 2012 Katrina Dimaranan and DILG officials.

Registration comes in two options: option 1 is P100 plus 20 pieces of clean and dry plastic or polystyrene materials; option 2 is P150.00 without plastic or polystyrene materials.

The event is made possible through partnership with the Philippine Plastic Industry Association (PPIA), Polystyrene Packaging Council of the Philippines (PPCP) and National Capital Region Employees Association (NACREA). ###

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