This year’s edition of the advocacy ride “Tour of the Fireflies” in Negros Occidental will pay tribute to the front-liners in the battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Now in its sixth year, the event set on Dec. 6 will be hosted by Himamaylan City, headed by Mayor Raymund Tongson, for the second consecutive year, the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) announced on Tuesday.

Themed, “Ride for Frontliners”, the bike tour is part of the 16th Provincial Environment Month Festival.

Himamaylan’s acceptance of the hosting chores was confirmed by Tongson in a letter addressed to PEMO head Danilo Amisola.

“The Local Government Unit of Himamaylan hereby formally accepts and commits to spearhead the localized celebration…We have already commenced coordinating with the member of the organizing team of the provincial ‘Tour of the Fireflies’ for the preparation of the upcoming activity, with the strict observance of health protocols as the primary matter to be considered,” Tongson told Amisola.

The mayor thanked the PEMO head for giving the southern Negros city the opportunity to host the event anew.

On Nov. 24, 2019, almost 4,000 bikers traversed the 78-kilometer route from Bacolod to Himamaylan during the fifth edition participated by bikers from different cities and provinces in the Visayas.

Since it started in 2015, the advocacy ride for clean air, road sharing, and discipline has drawn more and more participants each year.

On its first year in Manapla, 800 took part in the ride while 2,000 participated in the second year in Cadiz City.

About 3,000 bikers rode towards Hinigaran in 2017 while 3,500 bikers joined the ride going to Bago City in 2018. (PNA)