KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/21 Aril) — The city government is all set for its week-long 1st Motorcycle Festival that will open on Saturday, April 22.
City Mayor Peter Miguel said Friday they finalized preparations for the festivity, which coincides with the city’s hosting of the 23rd national convention of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs in the Philippines (NFMCP) on April 29.
Dubbed the “biggest motorcycle show in the country,” he said the event focuses on the theme: “Ride for Culture, Ride for Peace.”
“We’re expecting to draw around 10,000 local and visiting participants in the lined up activities,” the mayor said.
In the NFMCP convention, he said around 2,500 members and other motorcycle enthusiasts from Metro Manila and other areas in the country have already signified their attendance.
He said they have invited President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is considered as the father of the Davao City-based “Any Sunday Rider” motorcycle club, to grace the event.
Also expected to attend are Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo and several other celebrity riders.
Miguel, who is president of the NFMCP, said the event will showcase the latest and top-of-the-line motorcycles and other motor vehicles, safety trainings and seminars, tree growing, drivers congress, challenge ride, unity convergence ride, and agri trade fair.
He said they have lined up daily shows and other side activities, among them the “Search for Biker’s Babe.”
Most of the activities, including the grand opening and the culmination, will be centered at the city’s Rizal Park.
In line with the NFMCP convention, its members and other motorcycle enthusiasts will stage a “Peace Unity Ride” that will start in this this city and will pass through parts of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
It will end in the scenic Lake Sebu town in South Cotabato where the NFMCP’s President’s Conference will be held.
Miguel said the festivity’s culmination on April 29 will be highlighted by the group and the city’s bid to break the Guinness world records for the largest parade of motorcycles, the most engines started simultaneously and the most motorcycle horns sounded simultaneously.
He said they are targeting to gather around 2,500 to 3,000 motorcycle riders for the world record attempt.
The current Guinness record is held by India, which was able to draw around 1,700 motorcycles and riders for the feat.
Miguel assured that all security arrangements are in place for the lined up activities.
He said the security operations involve elements from the Police Regional Office-12, South Cotabato Provincial Police Office, 27th Infantry Battalion and other law enforcement units.
With the hosting of the event, he said they are hoping to ease the negative perception on the region in terms of peace and order as well as further promote the area’s top tourist destinations.
“We’re not only promoting Koronadal City but the entire Region 12,” Miguel said.
The region comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. (MindaNews)