Fifty brand-new bicycles were donated by Manny Pangilinan’s Tulong Kapatid Foundation to Tagbilaran City on Dec. 6, 2022 at the City Hall Atrium.
City Mayor Jane Yap and Chief of Staff John Geesnell “Baba” Yap personally received the donated bicycles from officials of the Tulong Kapatid Foundation of Manny Pangilinan.
The donation initiative is part of the “Bike for Livelihood” program of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIF), First Pacific Company Limited (FOCL), One Meralco Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and Maynilad Water Company.
The Tulong Kapatid Foundation distributed more than 500 bicycles to beneficiaries across the country, most of whom lost their sources of income due to the pandemic.
Other local government units that received bicycles were Pasig, Manila, Quezon City, Malabon, and Caloocan, the City Media Bureau reported.
City Mayor Jane Yap said the donation is timely because the aftershock of the pandemic and Typhoon Odette in Tagbilaran City can still be felt by Tagbilaranons especially in their respective livelihoods.
“I believe that an alternative livelihood is the best solution to move from the challenges of these times. If we could provide our people with a means to earn additional income, that would greatly benefit their families. This sustainable initiative could be an effective alternative to those who were unemployed due to past crises,” Mayor Jane Yap said.
Maynilad Water Company has also pledged support to the project through the installation of drinking fountains. Bikers will have access to these drinking fountains as they will be strategically located along key routes in the city.
The Bike for Livelihood program was inspired by the Donate A Bike, Save A Job campaign of Gretchen Ho, an initiative that provided transport and livelihood to those who have been affected by the pandemic.