Around 3,000 members of 200 cycling groups and 1,000 individuals signed up for the activity.
Bikers pedal along España Boulevard near Lacson Avenue in Manila during the 8th National Bicycle Day on 27 November 2022, organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF DENR
Some 4,000 bicycle enthusiasts took part in a mass cycling parade successfully hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in celebration of National Bicycle Day 2022.
Held last 27 November, the event marked the second year since former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Proclamation 1052 declaring every fourth Sunday of November as National Bicycle Day.
DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations-Luzon, Visayas and Environment Juan Miguel Cuna said the annual event continued to attract more participants as the bicycle has become an alternative mode of transportation given the pandemic.
"Bicycles are not just fashionable and recreational. In many ways, cycling is a necessity compared to motorized transportation. It is more economical, cleaner, healthier, quieter and faster," Cuna said in his speech read by DENR-Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service Director Khalil Bayam.
Around 3,000 members of 200 cycling groups and 1,000 individuals signed up for the activity. Bikers traversed a total of 51.94 kilometers from the host city Makati to Pasay, Manila, Quezon City, Pasig, Taguig and back to Makati City.
A push bike race for kids aged two, four and five years old was also conducted to instill in young minds the importance of biking.
Prizes such as loot bags from sponsors, two electric bikes and four mountain bikes were given away during the raffle draw.
For his part, National Bicycle Organization Director Benedict Camara said the biking activity was in line with their organization's "continuing vision of clean air through a bicycle-friendly Philippines."
The DENR, through its SCIS-Strategic Alliance and Environmental Partnership Division, has partnered with the NBO since 2014 in promoting bicycles as an alternative means of transportation.
The DENR, through the SCIS, was instrumental in the signing in November 2020 of Proclamation 1052, which seeks to ensure ecological integrity and a clean and healthy environment.
The proclamation directs the DENR to lead the observance and celebration of National Bicycle Day in coordination with relevant non-government organizations and civil society groups.
Under the proclamation, all other agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or government-controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are enjoined to participate in the said event.
Local government units, as well as the private sector, are likewise encouraged to actively participate and render support and assistance to the DENR for the effective implementation of the proclamation.
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