SOME two hundred fifty cyclists took to the road Saturday, October 5, in a bike fest aimed at highlighting issues brought about by the world’s changing climate.
The cyclists from Cagayan de Oro City and Opol town, and some from as far away as Malaybalay City, gathered at dawn in front of Xavier University before kicking off the 26-kilometers road ride for the 3rd Caritas Bike for Kalikasan.
The event was hosted by Caritas Philippines together with the Integral Ecology Ministry of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.
The bike ride took the cyclists along the city's coastal road and through the west diversion road to Igpit, Opol, culminating at Gaston Park.
With bikers ranging from nine years to seventy two years old, the event highlighted the degree of involvement of diverse demographics all united in the call for action on the planet's climate crisis.
Pitching in the activity, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) and Youth for Climate Justice- Cagayan de Oro (Y4CJ- CdeO) deployed their members as bike marshals for the activity. PMCJ and Y4CJ-CdeO have consistently advocated cycling as a sustainable form of transportation and have previously hosted cycling activities in the city.
The parishes of Gusa and Barra, Opol set up water stations along the route, and provided light snacks to the participants.
While the bikers traversed the route, a simultaneous zumba activity was held at Gaston Park. At the culmination of the bike ride, a program was held with the attendance of the parishes belonging to the archdiocese. Also in attendance was Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro Archdiocese Jose A. Cabantan.
This is the second time the archdiocese has hosted a cycling event. It can be recalled that on September 1, 2023 at the opening of the Season of Creation celebration, a short bicycle ride was also conducted through the city's riverside boulevard and downtown.
Speaking at the program following the hour-long ride, Fr. Randy Cainglet of the Integral Ecology Ministry of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, through the directorship of Fr. Randy Cainglet, warned the crowd about the world’s worsening climate as well as how ordinary people can help mitigate its effects.
“Kini alayon man ni atong gibuhat karon; to care, to care and protect our common home, our Mother Earth,” Fr. Cainglet said. “In view of this, the civil society organizations (CSO), peoples organizations (PO), nongovernment organizations (NGO), and faith-based organizations (FBO) nag declare na ining climate emergency,” he added.
“Though there was already a declaration (last year), it’s good to remind ourselves nga kinahanglan ni siya og action. So the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro once again, with the Caritas Philippines, hereby declare the climate emergency, and with this naay gihimo nga coalition,” said Fr. Cainglet.
This activity officially launched the Koalisyon sa Nagkahiusang Lihok para sa Kinaiyahan (Kinaiyahan), a coalition of CSOs, POs, NGOs, and FBOs in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental to advocate for environmental protection, conservation and rehabilitation.
Kinaiyahan intends to promote sustainable development and mobilize social institutions to address climate emergency. The formation of Kinaiyahan is a call for action for ecological stewardship.
The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, a co-convenor of Kinaiyahan, is actively campaigning for the phaseout of coal-fired power plants while pursuing renewable energy investment potentials in the province.
“We wholeheartedly support the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro in their climate emergency declaration,” declared Lyn Sabellano, PMCJ CdeO/Mis. Or. campaign officer. “This is in line with our advocacy for climate justice as a solution to the climate crisis our world is facing today.”
