Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado | PHOTO: Official Facebook Page of Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado
UPDATED TAGBILARAN CITY — Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado announced on Monday, March 25, that the province of Bohol will no longer host the “Motourismo” program after a series of incidents and deaths were reported.
During Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, Aumentado announced that the program, which is “prone to accident, air and noise pollution,” prompted him to cancel future loops in the province.
In an official statement on Monday night, the provincial government of Bohol clarified that Bohol Loop 2024 was organized solely by Loop PH.
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It said that the role of the provincial government of Bohol, along with other national government agency partners, was “to provide support and to ensure the success of the event.”
“Moving forward, the Provincial Government is likewise reviewing existing policies on similar events, with the end goal of making safety and security a priority for our people and our guests. In the meantime, the Provincial Government is suspending future related events,” it said.
The Bohol Loop, held on March 23–24, received public outrage and criticism as the event recorded one fatality and at least five loop riders injured in separate road mishaps.
A woman loop participant identified as Suzette Lacanaria from Cagayan de Oro City collided with a non-participant, Ana Marie Tasic, on Saturday morning, March 23, in Sikatuna town.
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Sikatuna Police said that Tasic, who is from Barangay Badiang, Sikatuna, was onboard a motorcycle on her way to the town market along the national highway that was part of the loop route when she and Lacanaria collided.
Both sustained critical injuries and were rushed by emergency responders to the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran City.
Tasic passed away Sunday, March 24, while Lacanaria, who has just undergone surgery, is now recuperating in the hospital.
On Monday, Loop PH, the organizers of Bohol Loop 2024, acknowledged the recent incident that happened in Sikatuna town.
In an official statement posted on Facebook, the company assured the public that it is taking this matter very seriously.
“We are also establishing a support program to assist the family that is affected,” it said.
More than 2,000 motorcycle riders, several vloggers, influencers, and motorcycle enthusiasts around the Philippines joined the Bohol Loop and Audax 2024, which was powered by the Loop PH online platform. It was a 600km moto-tourism event that was open to all riders and all kinds of motorcycles from 50cc to 1500cc.
The organizer earlier said the activity allowed visiting motorbikers from all over the country to advance safe motorcycle driving, safer road bikes, and endurance driving in Bohol. It also promoted the province, using its scenic, well-paved country roads and great people, to the motorbike community all over the world.
Prominent personalities who joined the event were Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and JV Ejercito and Cebuana motovlogger Ma. Rica Cabarrubias, popularly known as “Jet Lee.”
The organizer said the “event is not a race and mainly aims to promote Bohol tourism and finish the route safely, where participants can ride solo, partner, trio, or with a group/club.”
The Bohol Loop and Audax 2024 were supported by the Department of Tourism through the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines.