PUBLIC awareness for the preservation of the famed Tubbataha
Coral Reef off Puerto Princesa, Palawan, will be the focus of the Condura Race
for Tubbataha on March 2 at the Fort Bonifcatio grounds in Taguig City.
"We want the public to be aware of the importance of this
reef to Palawan’s marine ecosystem so we are staging this event," Raul Patrick
Concepcion, vice president of Concepcion Industrices’ Service Department, in
yesterday’s PSA forum at the Shakey’s UN Ave. branch in Manila.
"We hope to draw close to 5,000 runners for the event whose
proceeds will all go to the foundation that aims to preserve the Tubbataha
Corral Reef," said Concepcion of the races in the 3K, 5K and 10K classes for
men and women.
The son of Oil Price Watch chief and consumer advocate Raul
Concepcion, the younger Concepcion disclosed the reef is a major marine life
sanctuary that has earned the honor of being a UNESCO World heritage site for
its "rich and diverse ecosystem."
"But this marine sanctuary is being damaged by illegal
poaching of corals and destructive fishing methods that is why we should raise
public awareness and funds for its preservation," Concepcion said.
"All the proceeds of the races will go to the foundation
that acts as the watchdog of Tubbataha," added Concepciopn, who looks forward
to the races becoming an annual affair.
Cash prizes and trophies for the first to third placers in
the men’s and women’s contests in all categories will be up for grabs while all
runners will be eligible for Condura refrigerators that will be raffled off
during race day.
Interested runners can register online on the event’s website at
www.condurarace.com or call Rudy or Baby Biscocho at 09189158536 and 727-9987
for further inquiries.
