Bikers take on challenge to reforest Cordillera mountains

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  --- Some 500 cyclists from Manila and Northern Luzon, all “bikers-for-a-cause”,  are set to take on the challenge to continue helping reforest the Cordillera mountains.

These bikers  are now preparing to tackle the 65-kilometer road around Benguet which will also bring them to some of the best sceneries the mountain range has to offer.

Telecom firm Globe said the  “Globe Cordillera Challenge is more than a biking activity."

Yoly Crisanto, chief of Globe  Corporate Communications, said the activity  "is a flagship event for the Globe Community of Practice in the Cordilleras wherein we pour our resources not only to preserve the Cordillera forest infrastructure but also to provide opportunities for underserved Filipino communities."

The biking event, Crisanto said, seeks to connect bikers with local   communities.

“This year’s course will be the longest that the Globe Cordillera Challenge has ever done.  The feeling on the course will be real immersion into the Cordillera mountains as it will take the bikers down to some of the deepest valleys and through the ridges that comprise the mountain range,” said JP Alipio, Executive Director of Cordillera Conservation Trust (CCT), partner-beneficiary of Globe Telecom for the event.

He noted that a significant feature of this year’s course is the ride to Ambuklao Dam and Binga Dam which will show the bikers the need for forest building to conserve water resources for future generations.

The Globe Cordillera Challenge is an environmental campaign spearheaded by Globe to elevate the public’s awareness about the importance of the Cordillera region, long considered a vital catch basin for rain water and important water channel for most of Luzon’s major rivers that provide the water needs of people in low-lying areas.

Non-bikers may also join the cause by sending their donation through Globe GCASH (text DONATE<space>amount<space>CORDI and send to 2882) or by depositing the amount to the Cordillera Conservation Trust BDO Account (Account name: Tignayan Para Iti Konserbasyon Ti Kordilyera; Account number – 5180031673). - Artemio A. Dumlao