Region 8 bikers converge for a 2-day summit

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
July 10, 2008

HILONGOS, Leyte  –  Various bikers’ organizations in the entire region are expected to descend to this town by weekend, July 12-13, to promote “biking and non-motorized transport as a social development cause for healthy lifestyle, healthy economy, healthy environment.”

In a press release emailed to PIA, among the groups identified as the organizers of the activity included the Team PEDAL TREKKERS of Hilongos, LGORA OF Palo, NABIC of Abuyog, Bilin ng Mamamayang Konsyumer (BILMAKO) and the Environment Legal Assistance Center (ELAC).

“This is a call for everyone to contribute to lighten the burden amidst oil crisis and global warming,” the press statement said.

In the afternoon of Saturday, July 12, at about five to six, a “fire bath at the park” will be held in the sprawling playground of the Hilongos National Vocational High School (HNVHS), wherein all participating bikers – men, women, and children – will take a bath using water hosed from a fire-truck.

The fire bath event will be one of the major highlights of the two-day conference which was being sponsored by Hilongos Mayor Panfilo Go and the Municipal Council.

“The two-day activity opens in the morning of July 12, Saturday, with the traditional fun race engaging veteran bikers and teen-agers in different categories to foster camaraderie and common values among bikers from different provinces,” the statement said.

This will be followed by an interactive program on healthy lifestyle and a healthy environment.

The morning of Sunday July 13 will feature a bike parade led by a caravan of pedicabs belonging to the Hilongos Pedicab Operators and Drivers Organization (HIPODA), the bikers, and fully supported by the Hilongos Police, Health workers and Firemen.