“Sana diri kita sugad han at nahiaraan nga batasan nga maupay la it pagtitikang” ( I hope that we won’t fall prey to the old habit where we’re only good at starting ), was how Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan C. Agda opened his message in front of bikers yesterday, July 19, 2020, at a park along Baybay Boulevard in allusion to the many new bike enthusiasts present.
Despite the low risk status of the city which allowed Boronganons to freely go out and engage in activities such as biking, Mayor Agda took the chance to remind the bikers to continue being vigilant as the threat of COVID-19 is still present.
“Ini nga sakit nga COVID-19, diri talaga in hiya angay naton tagyaan. Samtang waray pa, malooy la an Diyos, dinhi ha aton ha Borongan, ineencourage ko it ubos ha iyo dinhi nga sana maghirot kamo.” ( We should really not take COVID-19 for granted. While we remain free from COVID-19 here in Borongan through God’s mercy, I encourage all of you to be careful ), Mayor Agda said.
While thanking the bikers and Boronganons in general for their cooperation and discipline during this pandemic, Mayor Agda shared, “Nagistorya kami han City Council, magkamayada na ngani nga maimbento nga vaccine come next year, we are contemplating nga ig-sponsoran hit city government in nga pagtaga-vaccine, basta diri la gimamahali hin ura-ura” (I discussed with the City Council, that if a vaccine will be invented come next year, we are contemplating to have the city government sponsor treatments as long as it is not too expensive), much to the applause of the audience.
In closing, Mayor Agda shared a few more safety reminders and encouraged the bikers to continue on with their hobby or sport, “Hiroti it niyo ngan gamita kay maupay pa daman it hiya nga exercise. Babalikon ko ha, ayaw kamo pagbibike nga on your own. Kinahanglan, mayda niyo pirmi upod kay di la kita maaram it mahinanabo ha dalan.” ( Take care of your bikes and use it because it is a great form of exercise. I repeat, do not bike on your own. You should always have someone with you because we do not know what can happen on the road ).
“Sigurado ak nga diri in hiya magiging ningas kugon kay hihimuan in hin ordinansa.” ( I am sure this won’t be another passing fad because an ordinance will be passed for it ), he concluded.
Next to give a message was Vice Mayor Emman Tiu Sonco, a bike enthusiast himself, who revealed that sometime back in 2005, there were very few bikers in the city and that they would go lengths just to be able to buy parts. Now with the availability of bikes shops in the city and even online options, Vice Mayor Tiu Sonco emphasized that, “Waray ta na rason nga diri kita makakabisikleta” (We no longer have a reason to not be able to bike).
Further, the Vice Mayor shared details about the upcoming Borongan City Bikeways Ordinance 2020, “It amon kunta target, ngatanan nga kalsada ha Borongan kaya lang nakita man kita nga it aton mga kakalsadahan diri ngatanan ready” (Our target are all the roads in Borongan, but as we can all see, not all of our roads are ready).
“Dinhi anay ha Baybay it aton i-paprioritize. An iba naman nga kakalsadaan, shared lane”. ( We are going to prioritize Baybay. All other roads, shared lane ). To emphasize his point, the Vice Mayor repeated, “Shared. Shared with motorized vehicles… Diri nasiring nga bakay mayda ta na ordinance, priority na kita.” (Shared. Shared with motor vehicles… Having an ordinance does not mean that we will be the priority.)
To the joy of the bikers in attendance, Vice Mayor Tiu Sonco announced that the Borongan City Government will play host to a Fun Ride on August 9, 2020 with the support of Governor Ben Evardone.
“Ini nga aton Fun Ride, ipapakita nam ha iyo nga it pagbibisikleta, diri la ha kalsada” (With this Fun Ride, we will show you that biking is not only for the roads.), Vice Mayor Tiu Sonco concluded.
Following the messages of Mayor Agda and Vice Mayor Tiu Sonco, the presentation of sixteen (16) entries commenced. The design requirements were straightforward, they have to revolve around the theme of waves to be consistent with the city’s branding as Surf City. It can be recalled that Borongan hosted Surf in the City in December 2019 as the final leg of the 2019 Philippine Surfing Championship Tour (PSCT), which marked the introduction of the city’s waves to the best surfers from all over the country.
Mr. Neil Alejandro Pinarok, the Provincial Tourism Officer of Eastern Samar, closed the event by expressing his and Governor Evardone’s full support for the upcoming Fun Ride on August and the biking initiatives that the city government is undertaking.
The participants of the bike rack design contest are: Julius Cleto Uy, Javin Brian Macawile, Jerwin Jake Gerna, Czarina Rose Bagon, Anna Sol Macose, Marvin Adorna, John Jess Adel Ogdol, Emmanuel Rivera, Nell Evardone, Jill Plana, and John Godfrey Dala.
The Board of Judges are as follows: Vice Mayor Emman Tiu Sonco, Mr. Rodito Acol, Provincial Tourism Officer Neil Alejandro Pinarok, Hon. Zen Dalina Daza, Hon. Katrina Anacta Sadac, Hon. Melcho Arago, Hon. Atty. Kathlyn Cainday, CPA , Hon. Lyra Gel Agda Limbauan. Hon. Glaiza Tiu, Hon. Renato Bagacay and Mr. Benjie Panaguiton.
The winners and prizes will be announced anytime today via Hon. Zen Dalina Daza’s Facebook Page.
#BoronganonDisiplinadoAko