Cyclists join Cayetano’s nationwide bike caravan

Various cycling groups joined the “1-4 Alan Peter Cayetano Bike Caravan” in Pili, Camarines Sur on Monday, March 14, as a show of support for former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s senatorial comeback.

Team 1 CamSur led the caravan, which covered the CamSur Water Sports Complex, Pan Philippine Highway, Gov. Jose T. Fuentebella National Highway, Himaao Norte Road, Pili-Corre Road, Pili Diversion Road, and Camarines Sur Provincial Capitol.

“Itong bicycle motorcade namin, mas maganda ito dahil walang polusyon…’yan and hanap naming mga bikers – kaysa motor, magba-bike kami…sa bike lang nararating namin lahat,” Pili Capital Cycling President Pat Abiera said.

“Sana gayahin ito ng iba dahil karamihan ng sumali talaga dito ay mga kabataan…[ito’y] inspirasyon sa ating mga kabataan,” Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte said.

“Tulungan natin si Senator Alan Peter Cayetano para mas mapalawak pa ang mga ganitong event sa buong Pilipinas,” he added.

Similar supporter-led caravans were held simultaneously in Vigan City in Ilocos Sur, Urdaneta City in Pangasinan, Legazpi City in Albay, Ormoc City in Leyte, Baguio City, Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, Zamboanga City, Manila City, Marikina City, and the provinces of Cebu, and Iloilo.

Many of these areas were beneficiaries of Cayetano’s Sampung Libong Pag-asa and Sari-Saring Pag-asa programs. Thousands of families and small businesses received support from both initiatives at the height of the pandemic.

The bike caravans were held in response to Cayetano’s call for an eco-friendly campaign for the May 2022 general elections.

As the first candidate to launch this kind of campaign, Cayetano said he will not be holding motorcades, saying that these consume a lot of fuel and contribute to pollution.

On Feb. 28, a bike caravan — the first of its kind — was initiated in Pampanga and Laguna by several cycling groups in support of Cayetano.

Cayetano has urged his supporters to plant trees and mangroves, establish urban farms, and use social media as alternatives to traditional campaigning.

The call was praised by various environmental groups, such as the EcoWaste Coalition, which said the move reflects Cayetano’s deep concern for the environment and his important mission to make his campaign cleaner, safer, and better until Election Day.

The former Speaker filed his Certificate of Candidacy for Senator on October 7, 2021.

Cayetano, who is currently leading various senatorial surveys, said he will push for a “faith-based” and “values-oriented” leadership in the Senate.