Negros Oriental vice-governor Apolinario Arnaiz turned over 24 bicycles to barangay captains in Dumaguete City as an alternative mode of transportation to save gasoline and promote the use of non-motorized vehicles.
Arnaiz allocated P500 thousand to buy surplus mountain bikes as transportation of all barangay personnel and turned-over 24 units of bicycles to the village chiefs Tuesday at the Dumaguete City hall grounds.
The turneover ceremony was witnessed by Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, City Administrator William Ablong and city hall employees.
Of the 30 barangays in the city, 24 were given bicycles and the other six barangays will follow, according to Vice-Governor Arnaiz.
Arnaiz, who is an environmentalist, also announced to the barangay captains that those barangays situated near rivers will also have budget allocations to buy giant bamboo seedlings that will be planted beside the Banica River banks.
The Vice Governor explained that bamboos can cover bald mountains quicker than other tree species; protect the side of rivers and also contribute to a long-term effect in mitigating climate change. (MBCN/JCT/PIA-NegOr)
