BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – To ensure a smooth and successful hosting of the National Bike Day Awards and Recognition 2023, the city government and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) officially entered into an agreement yesterday.
The National Bike Day Awards and Recognition is slated for Nov. 24 to 26. The city expects around 3,000 participants.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing was led by Mayor Jerry Treñas on behalf of the city government and IFFI president Allan Tan.
Under the MOA, both parties agreed on the following:
* The first party (Iloilo City Government) authorizes and designates the second party (IFFI) as co-presenter to primarily assist the executive committee organized for the celebration together with the Inter-Agency Task Force for Active Mobility chaired by the Department of Transportation in program planning, suggest policies and guidelines about the conduct and celebration of the 2023 National Bike Day, subject to the approval of the committee;
* The second party will provide to the first party all necessary support for the success of the 2023 National Bike Day and its other related promotional and marketing activities for the city;
* Both parties to solicit sponsorships to cover expenses of special events, competitions and main events;
* The second party agrees to raise on best effort the agreed target budget through fund-raising initiatives such as, but not limited to, sponsorship, donation, sale of festival tickets, food festival kiosks and advertisements;
* The amount intended for this celebration shall be disbursed in accordance with existing Commission on Audit rules and regulations and auditing standards; and
* The second party commits to ensuring that all expenses are accounted for with necessary proof of disbursement, such as official receipts.
The MOA signing was witnessed by Darrel John Defensor, SM City Iloilo assistant mall manager; DOTr Active Transport Project Office assistant secretary James Andres B. Melad, Road Transport and Infrastructure Sector (via Zoom); Jeck Conlu, head of the Iloilo Bike Council Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO); and Lorena Blanco, director of the Iloilo Biking Community 1team Race.
“We make sure that all programs are sustainable. How do we make sure that all programs are sustainable? We partner with the private sector,” Treñas said.
He added not only do government employees use the bike lanes, but they also benefit ordinary individuals.
“The bike lanes here in Iloilo City are not empty; they are being used every day, and more people use these because they become part of our lives,” Treñas added.
Meanwhile, Tan assured the funds the IFFI will receive from sponsors will be used correctly.
“We are here to make sure that the funds from our sponsors are prudently used to fund the festivals and events that promote tourism and culture here in Iloilo City. So, we are very thankful, as what mayor mentioned, SM is one of the strongest partners in helping us promote Iloilo City through festivals and cultures,” Tan said. “We’re here 100 percent to support the LGU (local government units).”
In line with this, Melad encouraged LGUs to join the event.
“I would like to encourage LGUs to get a broader base in promoting active transport to sustain mobility and encourage people to engage in this as one way of improving health,” he said.
Exciting activities in store include Bike Expo, Vintage Bike Exhibit, Band Performance, Criterium Races, Active Mobility Forum, Bike Fashion Show, Food Festival, Night Ride – Food Crawl, Band Performance, Kiddie Fun Race, LGU Awards, and Community Recognition Awards./PN
