Himamaylan City launches ‘Bike to Work, Bike to School’ program

Various members of various bikers clubs, volunteers and government personnel attend the kickoff of the 16th Environment Week held at the city hall of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental on June 9. During the event, the city government launched the “Bike to Work and Bike to School” program as part of its efforts to protect Mother Nature. MAYOR RAYMUND I. TONGSON FB PAGE

BACOLOD City – The “Bike to Work and Bike to School” program has been introduced by the local government of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental as part of its efforts to protect the environment. 
The initiative was launched during the kickoff of the 16th Environment Week with a theme “Time for Nature” held at the city hall on June 9.

Mayor Raymund Tongson, who led the launching activity, said going back to the basics like using a bicycle to go to school or work is one way for the Himamaylanons to “secure the community and protect the environment”.

“We are going back to basics. Through biking, we are able to appreciate the simplest things around us. Our thrust is defending and securing the simplest things in our community today,” he added.

The mayors said on his Facebook post that he hopes that people will realize Mother Nature is healing while communities have been quarantined for months and socio-economic movements have been challenged due to coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak.

City environment management officer-designate Armela Waldato, for her part, said the launched activity serves as a prelude to a “bigger plan” to establish bike lanes in the major roads of Himamaylan.

“We want to have bike lanes that are functional, safe and free from obstacles and hazard,” she added.

According to Waldato, bicycles as alternative mode of transportation will help save the environment by cutting down carbon footprint.

She added that the City Council headed by Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao will pass a resolution encouraging residents to use bicycles as an alternative form of transportation.

The opening program of the 16th Environment Week was attended by members of various bikers club, Bantay Bukid volunteers and personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Provincial Environment Management Office.

In November last year, Himamaylan hosted the 5th Tour of the Fireflies which was participated by some 4,000 bikers.(With a report from PNA/PN)

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