The participants of the 3-kilometer fitness and cleanup drive dubbed “BasuRun 2022” have collected some five cubic meters or 5,000 kilos of garbage.

Organized by the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) in collaboration with the Zamboanga Trail Runners, some 600 runners joined the event on Saturday.

Gerry Pollisco of the OCENR said the participants came from three points — east, west, and central areas with the east coast group collecting the most volume of garbage with two cubic meters.

“The first 100 runners received medals and all participants were given certificates of participation,” Pollisco said.

He added that the participants came from a cross-section of the community.

The activity was in line with the observance of the National Month of the Ocean, which highlights the importance of conservation, protection, and sustainable management of the country’s coastal and marine resources.

The Philippines’ Month of the Ocean is celebrated annually in May under Presidential Proclamation No. 57 signed by then-President Joseph Estrada in 1998. (PNA)