MORE than 100 residents of Kampung Kulapis in Mukim Sengkurong gathered early morning yesterday for a "Health Run".

The activity which, aimed to promote healthy living in a close-knit community, is organised annually by the Village Consultative Council. Present to witness the healthy-living drive was Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awang Halbi Hj Md Yussof.

In his speech, Pehin Dato Hj Awang Halbi commended the initiative and said the exemplary activity should be continued and upheld, especially in the face of rising health risks in the country.

"Keeping in view the increasee in cases of chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart and lung diseases - which are identified as the main causes of death in Brunei - this is a good effort that needs to continue."

The Minister hoped to see such village-level efforts to increase with the encouragement from the government. He mentioned projects such as the One Village, One Product and the Excellent Village Awards as examples of the Ministry's effort to promote community-based activities.

Highlighting the role of the grassroots leaders, Pehin Dato Hj Awang Halbi said the Village Consultative Council play an important role as a catalyst to the implementation and development of programmes, adding that a close relationship with the ministry must be sustained.

In statement issued later, the ministry reiterated its strong support for the project because it promotes community-based initiatives, social cohesion and healthy living.

In a separate speech, the Village Head of Kampung Kulapis Hj Timor Hj Limbang, said he hoped similar events could be organised in the years to come that include more villages under Mukim Sengkurong, or other neighbouring Mukims.

Aside from bolstering friendships between residents of the village, he said, the initiative showed a "desire for citizen advisory direction".

The participants were divided into three categories: an Open category which covered 10 kilometres; Women's category for seven kilometres and a Children's category for two kilometres.

Monetary prizes sponsored from the village council were given to the top three winners in each category.

Under open and women's category the prizes were $120 for first place, $80 for second and $50 for third. The children's category offered $80 for first place, $50 for second and $30 for third.

The Kulapis Village Consultative Council had previously organised a cyclathon, walkathon, jungle expedition, graveyard cleaning and during Ramadhan a mass break-fast with orphans.The Brunei Times