DAGUPAN CITY -- Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Arturo Lomibao will lead Saturday about 400 runners who will participate in the “Earth run for the environment.”
 
The sporting event will be held at the city’s main business thoroughfare. The race will start at 6 a.m.

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Lomibao will fire the starting gun for the three-kilometer race for male and female runners below 13 years old, while Mayor Alipio Fernandez will shot the go-signal for the five-kilometer run.
 
The post-environment month activity is a project of the LTO in cooperation with the Dagupan City Schools Division and the Kiwanis Club of Dagupea.
 
The theme is “Run and walk for good health and clean environment.”
 
“One of the major causes of pollution is the motor vehicles. And air pollution is one of the causes of global warming. Aside from the campaign against smoke belchers, we also would like to encourage the public to just walk for short distances. It is good for the health as walking is an exercise, it will save you some money from fare or gasoline (if you are using your own vehicle) not to mention you are helping mitigate air pollution,” Lomibao said.
 
At the same event, the LTO chief will lead the provincial launching of the “Road safety campaign” earlier launched in Manila by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
 
“On the road safety aspect, the LTO’s thrust is to put order and safety on the road. Based on statistics, about 16,000 lives are lost nationwide because of road accidents. Attaining zero accident is next to impossible. Our aim is to reduce greatly the number of road accidents by inculcating on the drivers road discipline,” Lomibao further said.
 
“The LTO’s primary concern is always life. Road safety is everyone’s concern and responsibility. And one of the objectives of holding the Earth Run marathon is to remind everybody road safety is pro-life. And taking care of yourself and of the environment is pro-life. Moreover, road safety is self-discipline and being considerate to others,” he stated.
 
Meanwhile, to ensure the safety of the runners, the city’s Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) will post traffic enforcers at every street intersection. Deltacom-Dagupan, on the other hand, will compliment this with motorcycle-riding members. 
 
First-aid personnel will be provided by the City Health Office and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)-Pangasinan chapter.
 
In the three-kilometer run, the first to arrive at the finish line will receive P1,500 and a medal. The second placer will receive P1,200 and a medal while the third place will bring home P1,000 and medal. Fourth and fifth finishers will receive P700 and P500, respectively.
 
In the five-kilometer race, the prizes are: P2,000 and medal for the first place; P1,700 and medal for the second place; and P1,500 and medal for the third place. Fourth and fifth placers will receive P1,300 and P1,000, respectively.
 
There will also be special awards for the youngest and oldest runners to reach the finish line. (LCMY/Sunnex)