ILOILO — Cyclists, volunteers, and environmental advocates pedaled through Cabatuan’s scenic routes on June 27, 2026, for SIKAD 2026, a unique event that fused sustainable mobility, river cleanup, and tree planting. The celebration of Provincial Arbor Day showcased how communities can move together toward a forest province.
A “Bike, Pick, and Plant” Adventure
The event transformed a typical cycling trip into a hands‑on environmental mission. Participants first mounted their bicycles and toured selected routes across the municipality, enjoying the rural landscape. They then dismounted to clean up local waterways, removing debris and restoring the banks of Cabatuan’s rivers.
The final leg of the journey was a tree‑growing activity, where volunteers planted native Narra, soil‑stabilizing Bamboo, and fruit‑bearing Jackfruit trees. The bamboo component was a partnership with the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office to prevent erosion along slopes. This “bike, pick, and plant” model offered an immersive, active experience that visitors and locals alike could embrace.
Riding Toward a Forest Province
SIKAD 2026 directly supports the Iloilo Provincial Government’s ambitious goal of becoming a “Forest Province” by 2044. The “Tanum Iloilo” program, championed by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., seeks to raise the province’s forest cover from 18 to 33 percent. To achieve this, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) aims to re‑green 2,000 to 3,000 hectares annually.
The Cabatuan event, spearheaded by Mayor Elizalde G. Pueyo and MENRO designate Engr. Ric Valenzuela, demonstrated how local government units are crucial to this vision. PGENRO Head Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle P. Buyco Jr. and SvEMS Forester Mitzi S. Peñaflorida led the activity, emphasizing that voluntary action multiplies the impact of government initiatives. Their presence underscored the province’s commitment to a greener, more livable Iloilo.
Part of a Province‑Wide Green Surge
The Cabatuan SIKAD was the energetic finale of a massive, three‑day provincial campaign. On June 25, National Arbor Day, over 2,505 Barangay Service Point Officers and population personnel mobilized across Iloilo to plant more than 10,000 trees in a single day. The campaign expanded beyond public forests to include school grounds, university campuses, and even private subdivisions.
The legal backbone for this annual observance is Provincial Ordinance No. 2018‑132, which institutionalized Provincial Arbor Day during the last week of June. It ensures that environmental action is not a one‑time affair but a recurring, collective responsibility. Cabatuan’s cyclists and volunteers embodied this law in motion, proving that a bike ride can become a statement of climate action.
A Model for Eco‑Tourism
For visitors seeking meaningful travel experiences, SIKAD offers a template: explore a town on two wheels, help clean a river, and plant a tree. Such activities create a lasting connection to the destination while leaving it better than before. Iloilo’s countryside, with its network of peaceful roads and welcoming communities, is ideally suited for this kind of regenerative tourism.
As the day ended, the riders returned not just with tired legs but with a sense of accomplishment. The saplings they planted in Cabatuan will grow into a greener canopy, a living legacy of a community that chooses to pedal, pick up, and plant. Iloilo’s journey to becoming a forest province continues, one pedal stroke at a time.
