BAGUIO CITY – – Employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development led by Regional Director Leo Quintilla launched their “Bike to Work” advocacy with a fun ride, Friday (June 5).
The FOCARide (Frontliners Offering Care Among Riders) Bike to Work advocacy is in response to the government’s call for a healthier mode of traveling to and going home from work.
The launching was joined by more than 30 bicycle riders from the Department of Health, Philhealth, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine National Police, Philippine Information Agency and other volunteer private groups/institutions.
The bicycle riders moved around the city’s main thoroughfares and made short stops at the regional offices of the Department of Labor and Employment, Dept. of Public Works and Highways, Dept. of Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority, DENR, Dept. of Health and the City Hall to distribute “Bike to Work” pamphlets/fliers and bicycle riding tips.
Quintilla said the fun ride was part of their COVID-19 response and personal advocacy to promote the use of bicycles as an active mode of transportation. As they bring the “Bike to Work” advocacy to the different government agencies, they also hope to start a movement for a healthier and environment friendly mode of transportation.
Through the distribution of IEC materials, we hope to encourage more people to bike to work and at the same time increase public awareness that there is also a need to share the road to bicycle riders to ensure a safe ride, as well as a campaign to encourage local government units and government offices to provide facilities for riders such as bike lanes, bike rack and shower facilities to encourage more workers to use their bicycle in going to work, Quintilla stressed.
“There are many benefits of bicycle rides, primary are on health, for camaraderie and helping the environment,” he added.
Micah Lucenio of DOH–CAR also calls for fellow government workers to join them on the “bike to work advocacy”. The use of bike will keep us healthy and aside from helping the environment, we can also avoid the heavy traffic, she said.
Joining the activity is Manila-based Joebel Gurang, a member of the Habitat for Humanity who is currently working from home here in Baguio,
“I have been supporting bike to work advocacy as aside from getting me fit it also gives me focus. Bike as a means of transportation also helps the environment and we hope that the advocacy gets support from authorities in terms of the needed facilities for bikers and also the support and awareness for the public to share the road for a safer ride for us bikers,” he said. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
