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BY IAN PAUL CORDERO and ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Sunday, June 4, 2017
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ILOILO City – A total of 157 bicyclers participated on Saturday in a pack ride that aims to promote the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems.
“Ocean’s Ride” saw the bikers make their way to the Katunggan Eco-park in Barangay Nabitasan, Leganes, Iloilo and Barangay Ermita, Dumangas town where they conducted coastal cleanup and mangrove planting.
Pablo Duremdes Nava IV, president of the Federation of Iloilo Cycling Organizations, whose members joined the event, said the activity was held in celebration for the 18th Month of the Ocean.
Ocean’s Ride “aims to present to the general public the linkages of the coastal and maritime ecosystem to the sustenance of the basic needs of the Filipino people,” the organizers said.
“Coastal and marine ecosystems provides the basic needs of the people mainly in food, livelihood, navigation and coastal protection,” they said. “The dependence created an intimate and inseparable connection between humans and marine environment.”
Starting in front of a mall on Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue in Mandurriao district at 5 a.m., the bikers passed by the Jaro Plaza and Iloilo-Capiz Road as they headed to Dumangas and then to Leganes, covering 14 kilometers.
Organizers said the participants planted gray/white mangroves (Avicennia marina) and collected 129 kilograms of garbage during the coastal cleanup. They also bagged seedlings at the Ermita nursery.
“I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all the bike organizations that devoted time and effort for this activity,” Nava said.
Organized by the Zoological Society of London – Philippines, the Ocean’s Ride was held in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, and in partnership with local governments of Dumangas and Leganes.
Partners included the Foundation for the Philippines Environment, Turing Foundation, Barangay Pedada Fisherfolk Association, Iloilo City Police Office, Iloilo Police Provincial Office, and Philippine Red Cross./PN
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