‘Siklista Inabanga’ pedals for 

re-opening of local economy

INABANGA, Bohol, Oct. 24 (PIA) – Over a hundred local bikers now organized as Siklista Inabanga took to the town’s main thoroughfares and about 30 kilometers of highway to bring the news of Inabanga’s re-opening of its stalled economy in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Led by Councilor Jose Jono Jumamoy, the bikers pedaled to the town’s boundaries, calling on people along the roadsides to wear their mask and protect each other from COVID-19 as the town reopens its economy.

First among the towns in Bohol to decisively impose a lockdown in an island that registered a positive case back in April, Inabanga has also earned credits to its successful clearing of the island which has allegedly received islanders stranded in Cebu. 

Jumamoy, who gave the opening message during the Inabanga COVID-19 Awareness and Unity Ride in the morning of Oct. 24, detailed how they vigilantly followed the health and safety protocols as the community’s response in countering the virus.

“True, we are in uncertain times," Jumamoy pointed out during his opening message, as he shared how COVID-19 has claimed the lives of people here. 

The effects of the quarantine also disrupted the livelihood of people as lockdowns were imposed while the youth and children have also been deprived of social and interpersonal relations. 

“There has been an increase in suicide rates in the younger age brackets, which is quite alarming,” he added. 

“We are afraid as with many people. But we can not just stay afraid. We need to move forward,” he said. 

“We have to move forward, but we have to move forward safely,” Jumamoy emphasized as he reiterated the safety and health protocols of wearing face masks and practicing physical distancing even during the ride.

The first major event with over a hundred participants would bring the message of wearing the mask, protecting families, and respecting people who would want to be free from the risk.

Joined by at least five local bike groups and individuals under the newly organized Siklista Inabanga, the ride also had barangay officials, municipal office staff, and ordinary bikers calling on anyone along the road to wear their mask and follow the social distance protocol. 

Assembled at the Inabanga Cultural and Creative Park before riding out and back in, bikers from all over the town also joined in the raffle draws which had a brand new 21-speed mountain bike as main prize and other freebies such as bike helmets, rash guards, cycling shorts, LED headlights, bike blinkers, water bottles, carbon fiber water bottle cage, and bike gloves. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

BIKING TO RELEASE YOUTHFUL ENERGIES. Inabanga, which has seen the effect of the quarantines on it youth, has engaged the young to be their messengers as the town announces the opening of its stalled economy during the COVID-19 Awareness and Unity Ride on Oct. 24, 2020. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol file photo)