SAN FERNANDO CITY (PIA) – More than 1,800 participants from national government agencies, high schools and colleges, and elementary pupils joined the fun run dubbed as “Takbo Para sa Kalikasan” staged by the Board of Individuals for the Protection of the Environment (LINK). in this city on April

LINK is a youth organization with around 200 members founded by City Vice Mayor Alfredo Pablo Ortega and his co-founders which aims to advocate and call for action for the protection and proper management of the environment and natural resources.

LINK Vice President Le Claire Sanglay said the activity aims to raise awareness among the public, especially to youth, of the challenges our environment is dealing with nowadays like the use of single-use plastics and other non-biodegradable products having harmful effects to nature.

 "Especially the young people, we want them to be engaged and have awareness of what is happening in nature today and to orient them on sustainable practices,"

The fun run is an annual event suspended for three years due to the threats of the pandemic and was re-launched this year as part of the two-day LINK Fair 2023 with the theme “Green Revolution”.

It is also a fund-raising event to pool money which can finance other advocacy campaigns and activities the organization will be undertaking.

Special citation awards with corresponding cash prizes were given among groups with biggest delegations and with most energetic members.

One of the youngest runners is Jacob Marzo, a six-year old Kindergarten pupil who was accompanied by her mother, Carissa Marie Dasig, during the event and was able to finish the four-kilometer track.

"His father and I want him to be trained in these activities at a very young age and it's worth it because we can see that he enjoys it," Dasig said.

Sanglay thanked all the participants for showing their support to their advocacy and said, "Thank you very much for standing up for our nature."

Meanwhile, Sanglay calls for individuals who want to be part of their team and to volunteer with the same cause.

Interested individuals may contact the LINK Officers through their official Facebook Page at  https://web.facebook.com/LINKfornature or visit their office located at the third floor of Marcos Building in the city proper. (JCR/CGC, PIA Region 1)