Save Surigao River

“Sit by a river. Find peace and meaning in the rhythm of the lifeblood of the Earth”

People run because it’s the most natural thing to do. People say you can’t be sad at the same time run. They find comfort, peace and harmony with each step. Not only does it make people healthy, running makes them environmentally aware and conscious. The exhilarating experience running brings is multiplied by the wondrous scenery and natural beauties along the way. It is no wonder that runners are the first to advocate environmental protection and preservation.

“And I count myself more fortunate with each passing season to have recourse to these quiet, tree-strewn, untrimmed acres by the water. I would think it a sad commentary on the quality of American life if, with our pecuniary and natural abundance, we could not secure for our generation and those to come the existence of . . . a substantial remnant of a once great endowment of wild and scenic rivers.” - William Anderson, Congressman from Tennessee, Arguing for the passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968.

SURIGAO RIVER

Surigao River has long been neglected and forgotten. Today, it is a remnant of its past beauty and importance. Old folks could still remember bathing, playing and catching fish in the clear waters near Sabang and Navalca.

Today, the river is dead, with garbage, silt combined with toxic chemicals, houses strewn all over its course excreting waste to the river.

The increase population of Surigao has left the local government units unprepared. People has turned to the river as its source of survival, in turn, damaging and ripping it of its life.

Indeed, it is a sad commentary of our life that we have failed to secure a river for our children’s children.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY

The running trend has spread in the Philippines. Since its humble beginning in the early 70’s, running has now become the fastest growing sport not only in the Philippines but in the entire world. Here in the Philippines alone, Fun runs and marathons are being organized almost every week with vast support from the people.

With running’s growing popularity, more and more people including companies are spending their media advertisements and social responsibility agenda budgets on fun runs to expose themselves to a formidable market, the runners. Condura’s skyway Run for the mangroves is a case in point. With it’s successful 6th staging of the skyway marathon, Condura is synonymous with environmental preservation and protection.

WHY SURIGAO RIVER?

Because we owe it to the next generation. Surigao river symbolizes our life and our aspirations. Without a clean and healthy Surigao River, our dreams and aspirations of a surigaonon people will not materialize. There is so much at stake. We must act now. For tomorrow it maybe too late.