THE Makati Business Club and Ayala Foundation donated 72 bikes nationwide via the Wheels For Work Program during the recent celebration of the National Bicycle Day.
A total of 52 of the bikes were awarded to the winners of this year’s National Bike Lane Awards including Iloilo City, Quezon City, Mandaue City, Alaminos City and Pasig City.
The bikes will be given to select employees of the winning local government units who have no means of transportation to and from work.
The other 20 bikes were given to janitors, security guards and other workers at turnover events in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
The bikes were donated by Ayala Foundation partners and Makati Business Club members, among them AC Infra, Entrego, Grab, McDonald’s, Megawide, Monark Equipment, SM Cares and White & Case.
The donor companies expressed support for more concrete infrastructure and policy changes that would make commuting by bicycle safer, more attractive, and comfortable for all Filipinos, especially members of the Filipino workforce.
“It makes good business sense and environmental sense for employers to actively support employees who commute by bike on a day to day basis,” White & Case’s Mark Hernandez said.
“More businesses [should] support bike commuters through Wheels for Work of Makati Business Club because it is good for the environment and it can stimulate healthier and happier workforce that resonates to higher productivity,” Mely Purificacion of Monark said.
“It’s very important for business to be more involved and to participate because it’s not just society that is responsible, but even the companies need to help contribute towards a productive and sustainable future,” said Lem Gardose of Megawide.
The Wheels for Work is a joint project of the Ayala Foundation and the Makati Business Club to donate bikes to Filipino workers nationwide to help mobilize the workforce and provide a sustainable means of livelihood.