FIFTY brand-new bicycles were donated by Manny Pangilinan’s Tulong Kapatid to Tagbilaran City. City Mayor Jane Yap and Chief of Staff Baba Yap personally received the donations. This initiative is part of the “Bike for Livelihood” program of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIF), First Pacific Company Limited, One Meralco Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and Maynilad.
The project distributed more than 500 bicycles to beneficiaries across the country, most of whom lost their sources of income to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other local government units that received bicycles were Pasig, Manila, Quezon City, Malabon, and Caloocan.
City Mayor Jane Yap said this is timely because the after-shock of the pandemic and Typhoon Odette in Tagbilaran City can still be felt.
“I believe that an alternative livelihood is the best solution to move from the challenges of these times. If we could provide our people with a means to earn additional income, that would greatly benefit their families. This sustainable initiative could be an effective alternative to those who were unemployed due to past crises,” emphasized Mayor Jane Yap.
Maynilad has also pledged support to the project through the installation of drinking fountains. Bikers will have access to these drinking fountains as they will be strategically located along bikers’ routes. The Bike for Livelihood program was inspired by the Donate A Bike, Save A Job campaign of Gretchen Ho, an initiative that provided transport and livelihood to those who have been affected by the pandemic. (Jeanette Busano)
