More than 250 cyclists and environmental advocates gathered last Saturday, October 5, in the City of Golden Friendship for the 3rd Caritas Bike For Kalikasan, marking a significant milestone in the Catholic Church’s environmental advocacy efforts. The successful event, organized by Caritas Philippines in partnership with the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, culminated in the historic declaration of climate emergency in the archdiocese.
The event witnessed the launching of Koalisyon sa Nagkahiusang Lihuk para sa Kinaiyahan (KINAIYAHAN), a coalition of civil society organizations and NGOs dedicated to environmental protection and advancing the climate emergency agenda within the archdiocese.
“Our 3rd Caritas Bike For Kalikasan was a success, embodying the Season of Creation’s theme of ‘Hope and Act for Creation,'” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, President of Caritas Philippines. “The enthusiasm shown by participants from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, the Diocese of Malaybalay, and various biking associations demonstrates our collective commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Archbishop Jose Cabantan of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro emphasized the event’s alignment with broader environmental initiatives. “This bike event is part of our activities aimed at caring for our common home. We hope this sparks more activities, programs, and advocacies that focus on protecting our environment, as this is the call of our time,” Archbishop Cabantan stated.
Under sunny skies, participants cycled through the city streets, drawing attention to environmental concerns and inspiring community engagement. The event, which followed successful rides in Quezon City and Batangas, represents the completion of Caritas Philippines’ nationwide environmental advocacy campaign, reaching across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The initiative continues to support the six critical eco-actions identified by the 128th CBCP Plenary Assembly, including strengthening integral ecology ministries, supporting the global Season of Creation, divesting from extractive industries, implementing ethical donation policies, eradicating plastic pollution, and promoting renewable energy through the 10 Million Solar Rooftops Challenge.
Looking ahead, Caritas Philippines plans to continue the momentum with future bike events, with the next iteration anticipated to take place in the Visayas region, further expanding the reach of their environmental advocacy efforts.
“To those who witnessed our cycling event today, the message is simple: we ride for the sake of our environment,” Bishop Bagaforo concluded. “May this be the time for us to act decisively to save our common home.”