CAGAYAN DE ORO—The day dawned with enthusiasm as 146 bikers from Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, and some from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 10 geared up early at 5:00 a.m. for the Camiguin IsleBike Tour on May 28, 2023 (Sunday).
The high-spirited participants gathered at the New Provincial Capitol Grounds in Mambajao,Camiguin, to kick off the biggest biking event of the year under the Bike NorthMin campaignprogram.
The bike tour featured a 64-kilometer circumferential road with the following stops: Tongatok in Mambajao, Barangay Looc in Catarman, Sagay Overpass, Guinsiliban Municipal Hall, and the San Roque Barangay Hall. Bikers must secure the color-coded stickers from each stop to qualify for the raffle prizes. Refreshments were also provided for the bikers along the way. Department of Tourism 10 Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan also joined the bike tour and reminded everyone that the event aims to promote sustainable bike tourism and a healthy lifestyle, generate economic opportunities for local communities, and showcase the local destinations and offerings of the scenic island province.
“We want to convert bikers not just as sports enthusiasts but as tourists. We also want our bikers, aside from having fun and being healthy, to be tourists and help our local economy,” RD Unchuan underscored during her speech at the Fellowship Night and Orientation held at the New Provincial Capitol Building on May 27 (Saturday). She added that their visit to Camiguin had a significant impact on the island and all over Northern Mindanao. She also expressed her gratitude to the Local Government Unit of Camiguin and the Provincial Tourism Office for their immense support and to the bike clubs for their invaluable participation in the event.
The 146 participants were composed of bikers of all ages, with an 11-year-old girl as the youngest and a 68-year-old man as the oldest among the group. Both were awarded, respectively, during the closing program at noon. Irvil Bermudo from Catarman, Camiguin, took home the grand raffle prize, a Bacini Bike sponsored by the R.O.X. Philippines.