By Ma. Cristina Arayata – PNA
MANILA — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has turned over to the Philippine General Hospital’s Cleft Lip Palate Foundation the biggest chunk of its proceeds from the first MNL Runway Run.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday afternoon, Milky Evangelista, who was in charge of the fun run, said the proceeds reached more than PHP500,000.
MIAA staged the first MNL Runway Run, a 5-kilometer untimed fun run, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 last July 8.
Without mentioning specific amounts, Evangelista said majority of the proceeds was donated to the Cleft Lip Palate Foundation, while a portion was donated to the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Foundation.
Another portion was allotted for MIAA’s medical mission for its employees, Evangelista added.
“PAL has been a partner to this event because we used the carrier’s remote parking for this fun run,” he explained.
In a previous interview with the PNA, MIAA Media Affairs Division head Jess Martinez explained that MIAA had staged the fun run to celebrate NAIA’s removal from the list of the world’s worst airports, plus its inclusion on the list of the world’s most improved airports.
“We want it (celebration) with a good cause. That was why the MIAA decided to have those with cleft lip and cleft palate as beneficiaries of the fun run,” Martinez said.
He added that having the fun run in July also coincides with MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal’s second year in office, which was another reason to celebrate.
The registration fee was PHP750 plus a delivery fee for the race kit, totaling PHP900, according to Evangelista.
Evangelista earlier noted that joining the fun run gave runners the chance to walk on the runway.
“As you know, no one is allowed to walk there. They would also see aircraft as they arrive or depart since flights won’t be affected during the run,” he said.
