Quezon City Marathon donates P.5 million to Ondoy victims

MANILA, Philippines - A P500,000 portion of the sponsorships generated for the holding of the first Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM) on Oct. 18 is being re-channeled to help the victims of typhoon Ondoy, Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte announced Tuesday.

The initial QCIM donation will be drawn from the product contribution of San Miguel Corp., sponsor to the running event. Contributions from co-sponsors The Philippine STAR, New San Jose Builders, GMA Network, Puregold, ShoeMart, Ayala Land, Robinson’s Land Corp., Nike, Unibersidad, Maxima, Manila Water, Salonpas, Timex, Nature Valley, and 100 Plus are similarly being considered for assistance to the typhoon victims.

“With this donation, the QCIM, originally intended as a highlight of the Quezon City 70th anniversary, would become a more relevant undertaking,” Mayor Belmonte said.

Following the move of Mayor Belmonte, Runnex chair Art Disini has committed to donate part of the registration fees for the marathon to the victims of typhoon Ondoy in Quezon City.

In this way, all runners to the QCIM are contributing even in a small way to alleviate the plight of those who suffered from this devastating calamity while enjoying the benefits of running.

The QCIM race manager also emphasized that the marathon will be pushing through with the same commitment to provide participants and runners with all their necessities during the race.

Quezon City is among the areas badly hit by typhoon Ondoy last Saturday. Mayor Belmonte has already declared a state of calamity in 50 barangays in the city to pave the way for the release of calamity funds.

Eleven main rehabilitation and assistance centers have also been set up in the city and P1 million set aside for the purchase of medicines for the typhoon victims. Desks have been set up early this week at the lobby of the City Hall to accept donations for the typhoon victims.