The United Bikers of Iloilo signed a covenant, together with the members of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in Western Visayas and other stakeholders, expressing support for peace and progress in every possible way.

United Bikers of Iloilo president Rhea Jinon Jagunap represented their group during the covenant signing rites held after the program for the Bike for Peace 2023 on March 26 at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds.

“Nagabulig gid kami para sa kawsa sang aton PNP and the other 38 agencies under RTF-ELCAC para sa aton peace and order not only in Iloilo but bilog naton nga country (We are helping the cause of our PNP and the other 38 agencies under the RTF-ELCAC for our peace and order not only in Iloilo but in the entire country),” said Jagunap.

More than 500 member cyclists of the said group participated in the bike tour cum fund raising activity organized by the RTF-ELCAC VI.

Participants assembled as early as 5 a.m. for registration and warm up exercises at John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University in Molo district here before the tour started past 6 a.m. that culminated at the capitol grounds.

Aside from the program and peace covenant signing, a pledge of commitment for peace was also done followed by the symbolic releasing of doves.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-6) Monitoring and Evaluation Division head Maricel Bechayda said the activity primarily aimed at promoting peace in the region, particularly, in the province and city of Iloilo.

“Pero ang nais nito hindi lang kapayapaan dahil alam natin pag may kapayapaan ay susunod na ang kaunlaran (But the purpose of this is not only peace, because we know if there is peace, next is progress),” said Bechayda.

DILG 6 chairs the Technical Working Group of the RTF-ELCAC VI.

Philippine Army 3CMOB Commanding Officer Lt.Col. Luisita Clavecillas, who was one of the prime movers of the Bike for Peace 2023, thanked the cluster members of the RTF-ELCAC, Police Regional Office 6, Philippine Army, provincial and municipal governments, business sector and the bikers organizations for their support to the activity.

She also acknowledged their participation in pursuing and advocating peace in the region.

Funds raised from the activity will benefit underprivileged but scholarly competitive students across the different secondary schools in Panay area.JBG/laf/PIA6-Iloilo