LAGUNA, Philippines – As a way of raising public awareness of the importance and impacts of plant health, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry, National Plant Quarantine Services Division (DA BPI-NPQSD) has organized BPI Bubble Run 2020: Protecting Plants, Protecting Life on February 8, 2020 at the University of the Philippines Baker Hall, Los Baños, Laguna.

Mr. Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, BPI Assistant Director, and Ms. Joan May R. Tolentino, NPQSD OIC-Chief, in their opening and welcome message, emphasized that the event aims to promote the importance of plant health in addressing global concerns such as food scarcity, hunger and poverty. Both officials encouraged the public to take part in protecting plants, thereby protecting the Philippine agriculture industry as a whole. Several informative videos were also played during the event explaining the importance of plant quarantine rules and regulations in the prevention of spread of pests.

Participants primarily students, policemen, and government officials joined the fun run consisting of 3K and 5K runs, which started at around 5:30 am. The said event has caught the interests of around 400 participants.

Those who joined were able to get racing kits for free and info materials (bookmarks) containing information on General Plant Quarantine and Important Quarantine Pests specifically Mango Pulp Weevil and Fusarium wilt.

Awards were given to 3K and 5K race winners. Special awards were also given to the youngest and oldest runner as well as the first youngest finisher.

The BPI Bubble Run 2020 is considered a huge success in promoting plant health, and it would not have been possible without the help and support of everyone who organized and participated.