COUPLE GETS ENGAGED: Guimaras hosts first ‘Bike for Resilience’

279 cyclists pedaled their way to Guimaras island for disaster resiliency awareness during the first ever “Bike for Resilience” on July 7, 2019.

The province of Guimaras hosted the event led by the Office of Civil Defense Region 6 in observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month.

Cyclists representing different agencies such as the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Air Force, the  Philippine Coast Guard and different bikers club in the region participated in the event.

The 2019 Bike for Resilience also served as witness for a marriage proposal when Russ Lobaton, on bended knee, proposed to his girlfriend Shelley Cataluña. Both of them are from Calinog, Iloilo.

A reverberating applause greeted the couple when a teary eyed and visibly surprised Cataluña said “Yes” when Lobaton asked for her hand in marriage.

Governor Samuel T. Gumarin said that it was an honor for Guimaras to host the activity as the island aims to become the bike paradise of the Philippines.

This endeavor according to Gumarin is harmonious to the province’s thrust of preserving the environment and to strengthen environmental protection efforts to mitigate the impact of disasters.

“Strengthening our environmental protection efforts to mitigate the effects of natural hazards as well as to preserve our resources for future generations, is one of the strategic thrusts of the Provincial Government of Guimaras,” Gumarin said.

Further, he stressed the significance of being prepared at all times as disasters can not be predicted and local government units (LGUs) are at the frontlines of preparedness for disasters and calamities.

“The immeasurable damage and havoc brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 has taught us the need to step-up our efforts for disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response. Local government units, local chief executives and communities are at the frontlines of preparedness for disasters and calamities,” he stressed.

Actress and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) dance ambassador Maja Salvador graced the event.

Salvador emphasized the importance of preparedness in the face of any hazards and encouraged the spirit of volunteerism.

“Walang malaking kalamidad kung tayo ay laging handa,” Salvador said.

Gumarin, Salvador and OCD Region 6 Director Jose Roberto Nuñez also spearheaded the tree planting activity at San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.

This year’s theme is “Kahandaan sa Sakuna at Peligro para sa tunay na pagbabago.”