MANILA - The ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) will be staging the Philippine International Marathon to boost their “Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig” campaign to rehabilitate Pasig River.

AFI Managing Director Regina Paz "Gina" Lopez said the marathon, dubbed as "A Run for the Pasig River," will be staged on November 8 at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

Cash prizes will be in store for the top 10 finishers in the full marathon.

Lopez graced Tuesday’s Philippine Sports Association (PSA) Forum at Shakey's UN Avenue where she gave a detailed audio-visual presentation of the current state of the Pasig River.

Lopez said 200 families living along the river have already been relocated to Calauan in Laguna.

Through the marathon and its P250 registration fee, she said they hope to raise funds to relocate the remaining 800 families, including young children, occupying the river bank under the unimaginable living conditions.

“At the same time, we can work on cleaning up the river,” she said.

Ambie Burac, campaign media promotions and management head, said part of the funds to be raised through the event will also be used for the livelihood projects of those who will be relocated.

“We need at least P30 million for the projects... part of it will come from the fund raiser,” she said.

Lopez explained the importance of the relocation of the people living near the river.

“We have to protect these families from being exposed to the river. At the same time, the relocation will also decrease the volume of waste being dumped into the system,” she said.

Lopez said that this year’s clean-up is focused on Estero de Paco. Next year’s campaign will be on the waterways of San Juan and Marikina.

"This is a seven-year plan, and if we can clean Estero de Paco, we can clean anything. This is not just another run because we're running for a reason, Each step is a step of hope, faith, conviction and love," she said.