Jalajala LGU denies giving permit to Giro de San Valentin road race
The local government of Jalajala has denied giving a permit to a bike race that was held on Valentine’s day in their area.
“Ang Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Jalajala ay hindi po nagbigay ng pahintulot para ganapin ang bike race na dumaan sa ating bayan noong nakaraang Linggo, Pebrero 14, 2021,” the LGU said in its Facebook account.
According to the Jalajala LGU, the organizer asked for permission on Feb. 8 to hold the event but they denied it along with a request for assistance for the provision of an ambulance.
A few days before the event, the LGU said it came to their attention that the race will push through. They reportedly tried to contact the organizer but they were not entertained.
"Ilang araw bago ang event, nagpost ang race organizers na tuloy ang kanilang event dahil nakakuha diumano sila ng permit mula sa Jalajala PNP, hindi sa LGU," the LGU said. “Nang makarating sa amin ang Facebook post na ito ay agad kaming nakipag-ugnayan sa race organizer ukol dito ngunit hindi nila kami sinasagot at maging ang bike shop na kanilang ka-partner sa event na ito 'na-seenzone' lamang sa aming tangka na makausap sila ukol dito sa pamamagitan ng Facebook Messenger.”
The LGU stood pat that it was not the right time to hold such an event.
“Ang atin lokal na pamahalaan ay isasaalang-alang ang kabutihan ng nakararami at hindi ng iilan lamang. Naniniwala at naninindigan kami na hindi pa ito ang panahon para magdaos ng mga ganitong kaganapan,’ Jalala added.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reported that the Pililla LGU is planning to press charges against the race organizer after it drew record crowds that spilled over their area. The race organizer has reportedly met with officials from the Pililla LGU to talk about the matter a day after the report came out.