The City Environment Office, headed by Valmar Valdez launched an Eco-Bike Project that initially benefited some 20 employees of the city government who have availed of a loan with the distribution of bicycles worth P50, 000 supplied by G-Net on April 23, 2009.
The launching, a part of the celebration of Earth Day, also coincided with the plans to build a bike park around the city hall, according to Mayor Pablo C. Ortega, who graced the occasion with Vice-Mayor Pancrasio Q. Nisce, City Councilors John Orros and Ramon Monetsky Ortega; and Planning and Management Chief Manuel Cabansag, representing Department of Environment and Natural Resources Director Corazon C. Davis. A Memorandum of Agreement was also signed between the beneficiaries and the said officials.
Mayor Ortega enjoined the recipients to continue promoting clean air by biking as it is environment-friendly. He added that they are studying the possibility of having bike lanes around the city to encourage residents to ride a bicycle in going downtown instead and also to have bikes registered so that it can easily be traced and monitored in case of loss.
He envisioned the city as another China, a country which has biking amenities in its main cities and residents, in all forms of life, and who uses bicycle as transportation in going to work.
“It’s safer when everybody rides in a bike and no traffic problems,” the Mayor, who is a certified biker, said.
Vice Mayor Nisce also said that his interest in biking is increasing with the outset of a healthier lifestyle and pollution-free surroundings. “What we do reflects our attitude in life,” he added.
Valdez confirmed that several batches more of city employees have applied to avail of the bike loan, payable for a year. |
