BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Bikers from Baguio City and the province of Benguet showed support to the country’s stance for the West Philippine Sea as they joined forces with the runners from the different parts of the Cordillera and other nearby areas in the “Takbo Para sa West Philippine Sea” in Baguio City on Nov. 17, 2024.
Led by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, more than a hundred bikers from the BLISTT or the Baguio City-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba and Tublay made their regular Sunday Bike Ride into an advocacy ride for the West Philippine Sea calling it the “Padyak para sa WPS Sunday Ride.”
Clad in their t-shirts with the message, “Kaming nasa babundukan may pakialam sa karagatan! West Philippine Sea, Atin ito!”, they biked from the different areas of the city to Melvin Jones grounds in Burnham Park underscoring the commitment of the biking community in raising awareness and rallying support for the nation’s sovereignty.
Welcoming the bikers at the Melvin Jones grounds were Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Katherine Chloe De Castro, National Youth Commission Commissioner Karl Josef Legazpi and PIA-CAR Regional Head Helen Tibaldo along with the hundreds of running enthusiasts.
The unity of the bikers and the runners sends a strong message that despite living in the mountainous region and away from the coastal waters, Cordillerans do care about the maritime assets of the country, and are in solidarity with the Filipino people in supporting the government’s fight for the West Philippine Sea.
This campaign educates people on the importance of protecting the nation’s territory while promotes physical fitness and camaraderie .
Magalong reiterated that the distance from the West Philippine Sea notwithstanding, Baguio City supports for the Philippines’ stance on the WPS disputes.
“Baguio City is very much committed in promoting ang laban natin dito sa West Philippine Sea,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Tarriela thanked and commended the people of Baguio City thru the leadership of Mayor Magalong for the efforts in promoting the stand for the WPS thru the bike rides, t-shirts, the run and the other information and education materials.
“Ito ay sumisimbolo ng pagtindig ng ating mga kababayan dito sa Baguio despite of your distance from the West Philippine Sea, ipinapakita natin dito na tayong lahat bilang Pilipino, we care about our own territory, we care about the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said
“Ang pagtindig natin sa West Philippine Sea ay pagpapakita ng pagkakaisa at pagmamahalan ng ating mga kababayan dito sa Baguio at naiintindihan nila na ang laban ng West Philippine Sea ay laban nating lahat bilang Pilipino,” he added. (JDP/RMC-PIA CAR with SLU Interns)
