102 bicycles sail to Visayas and Mindanao

In support of the recently signed Peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on October 15, 2012, 102 “Bikes for Peace” are sailing to the Visayas and Mindanao.

The bicycles, which will benefit the conflict affected communities in terms of alternative and cheap transportation, are now on board Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Bacolod City (LC550).

The transportation of the bicycles were decide during the Rotary Peace Festival in September 28, when the Armed Forces of the Philippines Peace Process Office Chief Bgen Leo Cresente Ferrer and 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander Major Gen Jose Mabanta Jr. gave their commitment to transport the bikes using military assets.

The bicycles were from the 10 Rotary Clubs of Muntinlupa (RCOM) and are to be turned over to the Rotary Clubs of Rotary International District 3850 (RI3850) through the leadership of Governor Rafael Jocson.

RI3850 intends to distribute 70 bikes in the Visayas to be off-loaded in Iloilo City and 32 bikes in Mindanao, to be off-loaded in Zamboanga City.

From the 70 bikes in the Visayas, 46 will go to Panay island and 24 to Negros Occidental.

“It has been an honor to be able to transport these ‘Bikes of Peace’. We appreciate the positive response of Governor Jocson on making San Remegio, Antique; Tapaz, Capiz all of Panay island then in Escalante City and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental as priority areas of distribution,” Mabanta said.

The bike donation is under the program of the Rotarian's “Edukasyon at Kabuhayan Para Sa Kapayapaan.”

The beneficiaries, who come from marginalized families, can use the bike for livelihood and school transportation.

3ID has actively pursued collaboration with grass-roots organizations when it signed a “Manifesto for Peace” with RI3850, during its (RI3850) District-wide Meeting on April 13 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center in Iloilo City. (Teresa D. Ellera)