2013 MRO's EVENT PARTICIPATION ANNOUNCEMENT:

Last years 2W event came with many challenges, support issues, groups blatantly displaying disrespect, attacks from others who sought to derail the spirit of what DARS, DOTC and it's partners wanted to give to the riders of the country...

So let me give out a little history lesson as to how MRO became a participant in this event...

Sometime last year, MRO has been making noise especially when it comes to the rights of the riders... We went to places that suggested ordinances aimed at branding riders as criminals, pushing onto our shoulders, the burden of our enforcement's shortcomings... And in this path, we collaborated with several groups that we strongly believed that would help us into the path of equality and fair treatment... We also went against nationwide legislation that again, took it's toll on our constitutional rights and we did so maintaining a level of diplomacy that earned MRO the trust of MDPPA and other groups who has been in the forefront of activities that both empower and support the riders of our nation...

In this relationship, MDPPA sought to bring MRO with them in bigger projects... One such project is the FAMI Road Safety Symposium which we became guests of...

Prior to this, the Motorcycle Riders Course or MRC, headed by the only Filipino to ever earn the coveted Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructors badge, Mr. Jake Swann, helped us get into projects like the Road Safety Board which was also a project of DOTC and Asec. Dante Lantin...

Our participation in both activities has given MRO the opportunity to step up to the plate and be part of yet, another major project for DOTC... And this was the 2W Relay project of 2012...

Before this, MRO was branded as an activist group because of the noise that we make each time bad legislation is created and pushed down our throats... But with perseverance and integrity on how we do things, they slowly realized that we do not block traffic when we go out on the street because we only do motorcades and not rallies like what others keep saying, we do not use harsh or degrading words or statements against the departments we try to reach out to and we don't throw accusations and statements that has no proof or backing... That we do whatever it takes to exhaust as much effort as we can, but we do not close our doors on the possibility that we MARCH OUT and bring our fight to the streets ONLY WHEN PUSHED TOO FAR...

We pushed and we pushed and we pushed and WE GOT PUSHED OURSELVES... Earning small victories and being pushed back with losses as we go along... Yet, we stood our ground and just kept on pushing...

So here we are, post event from last year's 2W relay and the BILOG event...

I can still feel the joy and the proud moment when I saw everybody braving the heat and pounding their fists as we united under one banner and Called to Action, towards Unity, Safety and EQUALITY...

So allow me to tell you about MRO's role in the project...

MRO was called in initially to be a contributor/participant by helping DOTC come up with the plan for the project... And on the first couple of meetings, it was a market place of ideas... Later on, MRO became the program developer and we laid out the plan, platform, route, schedule, program and we helped in drafting the wish list, letters to other agencies and so forth... Thanks to the ideas shared by the other groups and Asec Lantin himself, we found the best solution that we could launch in such a short amount of time...

And throughout the event, MRO was hard at work with coordination, planning and sadly, a whole lot of DAMAGE CONTROL... However, when the event on November 18 unfolded, all of that was laid to rest and the hardships, joys, intrigues, acknowledgements, pain, happiness, regrets, camaraderie among other things became so much worth it... And this is not because of what we did... Rather, it was because of what ALL RIDERS DID TOGETHER...

This year, DOTC has called upon MRO again to be on the batting plate and to create the layout for this years 2W program... We have decided on three things...

1. We will work with the program only if, those who have been involved in the "CONTINGENCY FUND" scandal is asked to excuse themselves out of the program...

2. That we follow the program by the letter and allow full and total TRANSPARENCY within the group and to the public as to what is happening and what is going to happen...

3. No private group, organization, club name or logo shall be put on any of the BILLING, POSTERS, BANNERS, FLYERS, TARPS, GIVEAWAYS, STICKERS as we shall only be acknowledged as PARTICIPANTS in the project...

Albeit being the group responsible for the program's development, schedule, route planning, coordination with other riders from the different areas that this years program will pass through and the initial drafter of letters and requests to DOTC's partner agencies, we will be more than happy to take our name out of the program materials... Why, BECAUSE AS WE SAID LAST YEAR, AND WE SAY IT AGAIN THIS YEAR, THIS IS FOR THE RIDERS AND NOT FOR US...

So unless somebody can come up with a better plan for the riders benefit, we hold ourselves to that commitment...

However, We are also adamant in keeping to this promise that if any of the three conditions above are set aside because one or several groups don't approve, then MRO will gladly relieve itself of the program and let them handle everything...

And in spite of already giving out the initial project route and plan, we will gladly give that up as our contribution to the project as we made a promise to be in the service of the riders and not ourselves... That our promise and commitment was first made for the community and not ourselves... That we intend to work for the project given that, we are to provide JUST AND FAIR perks and royalties for the MAIN program participants, including the suppliers, sub contractors, sponsors, donors and logistics team who is as crucial as the MAIN participants AND NOBODY ELSE...

THAT ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN BECOMING PART OF THE PROGRAM SHALL BE GIVEN A FAIR AND EQUAL CHANCE TO BE INVOLVED... AND THAT IS OUR ASSURANCE TO ALL OF YOU FROM MRO OR WE WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS YEARS 2W RUN...

That is our solemn promise and that will all be decided on Tuesday's meeting with DOTC and the other participants of this year's program...

And with that said, we wish to thank DOTC, most especially Asec Lantin for giving us the opportunity, LTO, LTFRB, DEPED, REDCROSS, PNP, DPWH, TOLLWAY GROUPS, MDPPA, MDAP, A4, MX and all the rest for working with us last year and who is still there for this year...

Thank you and a good day to all...

Read More

Can we?!?

Hey! This is just a parody... Or is it?!?

I'm pretty sure somebody thought of something like this already... Let me see if I can give it a try...

And what if we actually lobby it?

Stop voting for STUPID people...

See it to appreciate!!!



AN ACT MANDATING ALL LAWS BEING PROPOSED TO BE FAIR, JUST AND CONSTITUTIONALLY SOUND. ANY PROPOSED LAW IN VIOLATION OF THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSIDERED  ILLEGAL AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT...

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - The Anti-STUPID LEGISLATION Act of the Philippines

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to secure and safeguard its citizenry, particularly the general public affected by such laws filed under any legislative office. That the equal protection from the laws be upheld in the highest regard so that all legislators are compelled to create legislation that is made of quality and not stupidity. To promote constitutional awareness in the creation of new laws. And to prevent the redundancy of laws already approved and implemented. Towards this end, it shall pursue a more proactive and preventive approach to secure the integrity of our laws and prevent stupid people from passing any law that is not thought of properly...

SEC. 3. Mandatory provisions of this act. - All proposed laws shall be considered for approval until it is declared in violation of an existing law thereof. Once a court of law issues it's resolution declaring the invalidity of the said law, the immediate removal of the author legislator and his/her co-authors/sponsors from office and shall be stripped of all their benefits and remaining bonuses thereof.

SEC. 4. Exemption. - No public official is exempted from this law...

SEC. 5. Removal of separibility. - All disclaimers under all existing, pending and proposed laws that grant the author legislator and co-authors/sponsors immunity from being persecuted under this act is hereby canceled...

SEC. 6. Implementation. - The Department of Justice (DOJ), the Commission of Human Rights and the Department of Interior and Local Government is mandated by this Act to issue guidelines necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.

Upon the effectivity of this Act, only those quality legislation shall be signed into law and implemented provided that all legislative requirements and provisions are fulfilled. All laws found in violation of an existing law shall be automatically repealed with absolutely no chance of modification or reinstatement of the same or grossly similar proposal by another author legislator... In the case of the same or when a grossly similar proposal is filed, the author legislator, co-author/sponsor of the most current legislation will also be subject to all the provisions of this act.

 SEC. 7. Penalties. - All laws found that contradict existing national laws under Republic Acts, House Bills, Senate Bills, Presidential Decrees,  Department Administrative Orders and all other approved laws, rules and regulations will be punishable by the suspension of the author legislator and co-authors/sponsors from office and is fined the amount of 1,000,000 pesos that will be used in the re-education initiatives of all road users...

All laws found that contradict the Bill of Rights and/or the Constitution of the Philippines will be punishable by permanent removal of the author legislator and co-authors/sponsors from office and is fined the amount of 10,000,000 pesos that will be used in the improvement of the country's education initiatives...

All public servants, officers, regular employees, contractual employees, enforcement and aids implementing any law that contradicts an existing law will be punishable by his/her permanent removal from office and is fined the amount of 100,000,000 pesos that will be used in the improvement of law enforcement training and accountability... He/She may also be administratively or criminally held liable as dictated by the law...

SEC. 8. Nationwide Public Information Campaign. - The DOJ, CHR and DILG, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency(PIA), the Department of Education (DepED) and private agencies
and organizations, shall undertake a nationwide information,education and communication (lEC) campaign for a period of fifteen(15) days for the attainment of the objectives of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed.

SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.


Approved,

I think I can do this shit too!

Read More

Just another wall of text...

Hey! What? Weh! Hahahahahahahahaha!

Whats new? We have seen countless laws being passed in spite it being raw and prone to loopholes that may lead to corruption in so many different aspects...

This year, don't vote for those who pick on motorcycle riders...

Still, we have yet to see a law that has gone into implementation and stayed...

On Senate Bill No. 3365...
 
Although this law helps the proliferation of deaths caused by alcohol, especially in the community (motorcycles) that I belong to, this helps us lessen the deaths caused when alcohol and reckless riding is mixed...

My view still stands, stricter licensing, and stricter enforcement of the EXISTING laws must be pushed in order to correct the attitude of all road users in general... All the problems, issues, and lack of discipline on the streets is mainly due to where it all starts... Our group's RCA (Root Cause Analysis) points to where you take your first step as a road user (well as a pedestrian, you already become one) with a vehicle as deadly as the person who drives/rides it... Let me simplify:

1. Drivers ED - This is not in our curriculum... Whether you are destined to drive a car, ride a motorcycle or be a commuter for the rest of your life, Drivers ED teaches you the basics of using the road, the rules and regulations that guide us, discipline and courtesy... If we start out having this in our hearts and minds, the issue wouldn't blow out of proportion...

2. Stricter Licensing - Applying for a license is like applying for a postal ID... There are almost no denials when there should be more exceptions... Fact: There are LTO licensing centers that do not conduct seminars when applying for a license for the first time... Fact: There are LTO application forms and test sheets with the answers already provided... Fact: Practical driving tests are no longer done except in LTO East Avenue as far as I can see... And sometimes, when the instructors are too busy or is preoccupied, you get to pass without actually showing them that you can drive... Fact: A blind man once applied for a license as an experiment... Don't take my word for it as it was featured in a show... Fact: You can hardly tell the difference between a real license or a fake one which is readily available within 30 mins and Php350...

3. Stricter Enforcement of the EXISTING LAWS - We live in a country of monkey see, monkey do... If others can counter flow, so can I... This is because we get away with it even if we don't try... Enforcement is too busy texting, selecting an easy apprehension, wondering if they are doing it right, and breaking the laws themselves for all of us to witness... Not to mention the lack of training given to our enforcers, the mixed rules and regulations that differ from one town to the other and to put it as plain as possible, the stupid ones that act as if they know what they are doing...
Call me weird, but I do go out in hunt of enforcement to apprehend me... This is my way of doing a progress report on the level of competence and the amount of corruption there is on the streets... And sometimes, I just do it to prove a point... The days of "ignorance of the laws, excuses no one" has long been replaced with, "Hello officer, meet my uncle, Ninoy"...

These three, if done properly and is adhered to like we brush our teeth everyday, would bring fourth change that is unheard of in the history of driving/riding in this country...

There is actually no need for new laws to come out if LTO followed RA 4136 by the letter... As majority of the violations made are found in this document... From the basic required components of you vehicle, speed limits, reckless driving/riding, right of way, and yes, even drunk driving/riding among others...

ARTICLE V
Miscellaneous Traffic Rules

Section 53. Driving while under the influence of liquor or narcotic drug. - No person shall drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor or narcotic drug.

You see, there are things that are as simple as night and day yet, somebody manages to make things a lot more complicated when the solution is just based on three aspects of road usage...

For us motorcycle users, this trend is so rampant, were almost compelled to expect a law that will ban us from riding on the streets in the next few legislation to come...

• Installation of plate numbers on our helmets for easier identification...
• No backride policy to do away with riding in tandem criminals...
• Remove your helmet while in the vicinity of what not...
• Color coded helmets for easier identification...
• Mandatory vests with your plate number written at the back again, for identification purposes...
• Selective apprehension of loud after market mufflers with out a standard and a means to objectively measure the sound level of your motorcycle while noisy buses, jeeps and other vehicles seem to be unaffected by this legislation...
• Import Commodity Clearance sticker requirement on all motorcycle helmets as the basis of apprehension on the streets...
• Requiring all motorcycle users to avail of a sticker that matches your license and your motorcycle making the OR/CR and our very own license useless...
• Anti modification law that is so raw, upgrading your spoke rims to mag wheels can get you apprehended...
• Requirement of all riders to wear gloves so you cant use a gun... SWAT, SF, MILITARY and other ARMED FORCES wear gloves right? Heck, I wear gloves when I play paintball or airsoft war games...
• All riders caught on EDSA, Commonwealth and Macapagal Avenue violating the Motorcycle Lane are given a 15 minute seminar that earns you a sticker saying "I am a responsible rider"...
• Plates on the front and both sides of the motorcycle for, yes you guessed it, easier identification...
• Checkpoints that concentrate on motorcycles only while a bunch of men with high powered firearms breezes through the checkpoint...
• Coding for vehicles that actually help decrease congestion because of it's smaller size...
• Laws preventing us from using our purchased vehicle on the street because it takes so long for LTO to release (current average is 2 1/2 months) our plate numbers...
• Laws discriminating smaller displacement motorcycle users from using a road that is actually a lot safer than C5 or EDSA...
• Requiring all riders of all ages, sizes, and medical conditions to wear only thick pants, jackets, shoes and gloves...
• Banning of full face helmets in some areas...
• Banning of open face helmets in other areas...
• Laws written in such a way that we are already profiled as criminals just because we use motorcycles...
• Laws that only affect one vehicle class while others are exempted...
• Laws that actually give would be criminals the means to become invisible or laws that help them rather than deter them...
• And my current favorite, limiting our use of the road by placing us in a lane that everybody else can use, while we cant share other lanes unless we need to overtake somebody... That also puts us in harms way as nobody can stop the buses and jeeps from cutting across our lane which we don't even enjoy right of way on... Lanes that removes the best safety feature of a motorcycle: It's ability to maneuver out of harms way...

So far, the other road users don't have this much on their plates... But they do have their share of close calls, side mirror taps and paint scratches from relentless riders who force they way into the tightest of spots to get ahead of everybody else... Yes, we have more uneducated, irresponsible, and STUPID riders than any other vehicle class... Because we have the highest number of vehicle registration as of today... Outnumbering cars, vans, puv's, tricycles, bicycles, trucks, buses, suv's among others... And that is because of our ability to get a license and a motorcycle with less than 6,000 pesos in our hands and within a day without considering the dangers, risks, corruption, segregation of our class, discrimination from other road users and legislators, lack of applied skill in operating a motor vehicle and last, but not the least, understanding of the traffic laws and regulations that guide us...

Riding a motorcycle... It's more FUNDS in the Philippines... - Edwin Go

Read More

A Whole Lot Of Stupid...

Today, I was given a wake up call..

In the recent year since the birth of the MC Lane on Commonwealth, Macapagal and EDSA, I have been very partial in going against the implementation due to a few specific things...

1. It deprives us of the rights to use the road even if we pay the same road tax as everybody else...
2. The discrimination and segregation experienced from not just the ones who implemented the law, but also from the ones who supported it and the other road users who show no respect towards motorcycle riders...
3. The false sense of safety while those who continue to bully us on the roads are shown tolerance and is ignored no matter how blatant they are in entering our small piece of road...
4. The use of inconsistent, incomplete and/or exaggerated numbers/statistics that some people use to push the so called "effective or positive results" that masks the way our rights have been trampled on and is being used to say that our rights mean nothing as long as they achieve their so called "results"...
5. The coverups, media blackout and evident removal of the accidents on MC Lanes that we all saw, read about here in our wall and is seen elsewhere on the internet which for some strange, but unsurprising reason, is not in their numbers/statistics...
6. The failure to control other road users who are NOT supposed to be in these lanes...
7. Over all, the failure to implement the existing traffic rules and vehicle regulations and yet, they create new, STUPID and useless ones...

Since the implementation started, I personally used my awareness + acquired skill + patience in dealing with the way other road users cut, weave, block, stop and put us in evident danger... I get away unscathed because I always assume the worst... And with the experience I carry as an everyday rider and cage driver, My presumptions on how the other drivers would move about helped me deal with the "bullies"... And each time, they manage to anger me to the point that I have never missed an opportunity to shout at them or bang on their vehicles with my fist when they come too close to me... It feels like I am always in a battle for my life on the MC Lane...

Some people may think that this is an exaggerated notion, an excuse to use drama to heighten the emotions pointed against these lanes... Today, for the first time, I felt absolute fear not for my self, but for another fellow rider whom I was guiding through EDSA via North Avenue towards Monumento...

As I led this rider through, the usual jerks in buses, jeeps, taxis and other private vehicles were about... However, not only once, but several times, I witnessed multiple close calls... Good thing the rider had the concentration and the focus to keep it steady and use the maneuverability and proper braking capacity of our motorcycles when it was needed the most...

As we stopped right before Monumento, the rider exclaimed the entire experience to me and showed a great sense of relief for getting through the MC Lane... And this was on a good day... Where the volume was lighter than usual... One particular experience the rider mentioned was when an Isuzu Taxi cut across the MC lane so abruptly that the front brakes almost came to a lock... The extended use of the horn was all the rider could do to say, "HEY YOU ALMOST HIT ME!!!"

Aside from what this rider shared with me, the worst part of this short, but hair raising ride was when a green bus came into the picture... The rider does not know about this, but the moment this post is read, it will be known to the rider... Anyway, this particular bus, for whatever stupidity or evil possessed him, just went behind the rider and tailgated my companion for at least half a kilometer... I wanted to stop the bus, pull him out of his monstrous vehicle and shove his face in front of his bumper as I watched my side view mirror in horror as the bus came so close to my companion, that I felt the bus behind me even if I was several bike lengths ahead of them...

As much as I wanted to stop, pour my anger at what I have just witnessed, my instincts told me to keep going and get out of EDSA as fast as humanly possible and get my inexperienced companion out of the stupid lane that is just waiting to claim another victim...

As soon as we reached our separation point in Monumento, I felt proud of my companion and somewhat hurt at the same time because, throughout this ordeal, I searched and searched for any signs of any enforcement where I could come back to and just pour out my horrific experience and anger for allowing such things to happen... And to my dismay, I saw no one... Except when I got back to West avenue where I was already on the far side of the road about to make my u-turn... Then I thought to myself, heck, what's the use... It's been a year since the start of implementation and what has happened here, wont change or just get worse... Pushing my anger towards somebody who does have an ounce of concern or sense of responsibility towards the road users will be a waste of time...

So you see, the concern MRO has on the raw and stupid MC Lane continues and is an ordeal that gets worse... For the smart ones, they hardly follow the lane or just pass through else where... For the unknowing ones, they risk life and limb... For the ones who think it's good for riders, are as stupid and as arrogant to see and believe in the dangers that we, daily riders see, feel, and experience in these lanes... And there are those who just want to take home what they earned to their families so they put themselves at risk to get home safe in spite the risks brought about by the MC Lanes...

And now, we have C5 and Katipunan Avenue following in the long lane of STUPID that I am more than certain, isn't meant for our safety, but meant to remove us from the roads...

With that said, I would gladly give up riding if they pay for my motorcycle, buy me a car, and refund all the tax payments I made since I started riding daily... Which I am pretty sure of, has gone to the pockets of those who DO NOT THINK ABOUT OUR WELFARE AND ARE JUST OUT THERE TO PUT THEMSELVES IN PEDESTALS OF THEIR SELFISH INTERESTS...

Nuff said...

-JB

Read More

A MESSAGE TO ALL...

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."

There has been numerous times when the advocacy and the fight against inequality and unfair treatment was and is questioned, doubted and denied... And there are times when I questioned myself if doing this was or is worth it...

Personally, I never thought to be in this position and doing the things I do today... I never thought people will come to join me and take on the job that offers no glorification, no compensation and no end...

I have seen people come and go for or against the cause and for the benefit of all riders... I have seen people stay and continue with their support... I have seen rumors, lies, blasphemy and statements worth of slander and libel... Yet we chose to ignore them and push forward for we do not come first, the riders do...

We have been pushed down, ignored, turned over, spun in circles, shamed, humiliated, betrayed and used... Yet we tread forward in spite the disheartening acts and disillusionment that we experience...

I have personally experienced riding alone and doing what needs to be done for others... I have seen myself turning back and thinking, "I am doing this for others besides my self, but why am I alone?" Admittedly, I had been selfish and have turned my back a few times because I have lost the urge and the inspiration... Yet, I find my self back here... Thinking of others before my self...

But this is not about me... It is not about us... Not about what is ours, amin, kami, ako, akin o sarili... This is  about you, them, sila, kayo o kanila... We do not wish to claim anybody, anything or what is not ours to begin with... For we are yours, at your service and at your disposal... We are as dispensable as the next person... We are not perfect, we are not the smartest, we are not always correct, we are not always sensible, we are not always logical... Most of all, we are not always doing what is right... Yet, from the beginning when we were but a small group, to reaching an unbelievable 6,700 within a year of going public on social networks, we have come together, thought of the issues, consolidated our ideas, spoke, met and acted on what needs to be acted on... And we have prevailed... And we have acted on whats best for everybody and not just ourselves...

We have made sacrifices... Some more that what is required of them... Yet they do so without asking for something in return... For the benefit of those we do not even know... Who don't even give the same care that we have for them... We understand... For this is not something any person would do on an ordinary day or an ordinary situation...

We have come across challenges, surprises, disappointment, dismay and betrayal... We have come across small victories, large ones, clarity, sense, friendship, camaraderie, unity and we have seen the light at the end of the darkest tunnel...

Some of you may be asking why I write this, what purpose, what message... I write this because, not all of us will be here forever... Some of us would have to move on, set other priorities, change sides or pay back for what we have ignored and set aside for the longest time... But as long as we have the advocacy in out hearts, each stroke of the pen, each small idea, one word post or gesture for the benefit of others, our advocacy will live on... It will continue... It will prevail...

So what ever the reason is for coming or going, may you give back to the family you have set aside for the advocacy, an illness that needs tending, the loyalty for another or you were blinded by lies, you shall always be part of who and what we serve as members and volunteers of MRO/MAP...

Thank you... Thank you for sharing everything, what you have done, the support and for being part of the advocacy...

Thank you for listening, for believing, for understanding and for responding to the call for unity, safety and equality... Thank you for fighting for our rights...

On November 18, let us give this day for the cause and dedicate it to those who have lost their lives and offer it to those who we can still save... Let us come together, be united and put others before ourselves to help make our lives safer and more enjoyable... Let us shape the future, apart from all the glory, all the fame and self gratification... As having one shared goal will provide us with one shared and combined victory... A victory for all of you, the riders of the country we live in... A victory that we, united, can make it happen...

Let us give thanks and honor to those who have helped, supported, believed in, participated and accepted the call to action towards unity, safety and equality... Let us share this day with the rest of the road users and the rest of the world... Let us make history on this day...

Hear the message and accept the call... Have renewed faith and be one of us... Be a rider... Be a Filipino...

Let us ride... For the future... For all roads lead here...

"Even if I ride alone, for as long as I carry the belief that I am doing good for others before my self, I will be proud of my advocacy... And I will continue until everybody becomes aware of the truth for it will set us all free..."

Read More

Just another open letter...

The Decade of Action for Road Safety or DARS is not just a Philippine event... It is an initiative started by the WHO and UN... This is an international project spanning the entire globe...

November 18 signifies the World Day of Rememberance (WDR) for road crash victims...

Different groups and agencies have come together to make multiple events in reflection of the said victims...

2W Relay for a CAUSE (Call to Action for Unity, Safety and Equality) is a project, created and initiated by our National Focal Point, Asec. Dante Lantin in honor of the DARS project and dedicated to the WDR or road accident victims...





In the event surrounding the 2W Relay, we had hoped that the contract given to the WDR celebration on November 18 would see us arrive to end the relay at the event... However, due to some complications made on the schedule and how they plan to run the program, the 2W Relay was not given the opportunity to release the video that was created through the legs and to honor the riders, their clubs, their organizations and the federations that have supported and participated in the event and the LGU's that have made commitments to support this initiative and to push for the implementation of the wishlist that we created to help make our roads safer...

In order for us to do that, Asec. Lantin, DOTC, MRO/MAP, ARMAS, MDPPA, MDAP, A4 Tele Media, Dep Ed, LTO, PNP, MX and the Philippine Red Cross decided to create an event dedicated to the hard work, sacrifice and the spirit of this relay by holding a separate event so we can honor all those who we have sought to touch and reach out to in accordance to the advocacy of the 2W Relay for a CAUSE...

This does not mean that just because a separate event was created, we are bashing heads with the WDR... No... WDR, as far as we know, is being groomed solely for the victims of road accidents... The organizers opted to give the concentration for them while we in turn, want to honor the riders who have dedicated the 2W Relay for a CAUSE to them as well...

There are countless rumors spreading around that instead of us just focusing on the advocacy that each of us carries, why is the separation of the two events, who's reasons are far from what these rumors bring, being promulgated into the minds of the people? Don't they have the right to choose? Both events honor the same spirit, the same advocacy, the same purpose... One is just concentrated on one thing, and the other on another thing... Is that so bad? Is that sourgraping over the non participation of a group in the creation of the 2W Relay for a CAUSE enough reason to create havoc by means of rumor mongering? Didn't we ask them in a meeting in DOTC to help us and unite with us so that we can bring DARS, which is the mother of these events (WDR and 2W) to the rest of the riders in the country and so we can push for the future of safer motorcycling in the country?

It's fine if they want to be part of WDR... I applaud them for being there for the accident victims... But what is so bad with wanting to give thanks to the people who have shared, participated, helped, accepted and believed in what 2W Relay is doing? Don't we have the right to promote the relay's motives and to dedicate it to the same people WDR is dedicating their program to?

I just don't get it... And to be honest, after what I have said on this open letter and for whatever your reasons are, I am holding on to our agreement on the day we shook hands for 2W... We have called your participation and cooperation in hopes of unity, but the actions that followed only showed otherwise... I have shook your hands hoping that we will all be in this together and that we let bygones be bygones, however, I find myself being awestruck with the relentless attacks and rumor mongering against other groups and against the truth of what these events represent... All we are asking for is to allow each group, to be part of what they believe in without remorse and without conflicting statements aimed at character assassination and the derailing of the unity we are calling for...

And now, the spreading of mis-information about the DARS initiative and the claiming of it's spirit and the propaganda being spread against other groups who only aim to support the DARS initiative... Does it really have to come to this?

Albeit at some point, some words were exchanged in relation to the invitation to have the groups join us in support of the 2W Relay, one side had already humbled it self and had accepted humility by posting a public apology for what has transpired, while the others continue to create a different picture nonetheless... And as disappointing as it may seam, there has to be an explanation to all of this... Does it have to come to a point where we have to let everybody know where all this mudslinging began? To the pointing of fingers, the rumors, the accusations and the character assassinations even after one has admitted to his mistake?

Please don't tempt me and the others who were witnesses to the hand shakes exchanged over our gentleman's agreement to support the cause and not our own egos'... Support who you want to support and allow us to support what we want to support... Without spreading BASELESS rumors and accusations that only DESTROY the call for UNITY that was made and was SUPPOSEDLY sealed with our handshakes...

In the end, we, the riders of this country will ALL benefit in the fruits of our labor anyway right?

So please... Show the people and the community that you really mean what was agreed upon on that day we shook hands... Followed by the day that we honored your presence in one of the legs of the 2W relay... The day we asked you to speak and share your support and participation in the invitation given to start the spirit of unity anew...

Let's be there for the rider... Let's help save them from a road accident... Let's help save a million lives in support of the Decade of Action for Road Safety... Nothing more, and nothing less...

Good night and I hope, this message reaches all of you and your better nature...

-JB

Read More

Funny how this one works...

Funny how some people talk about money, politics, using others for their own benefit, stealing and what not...

When all of these things have been seen and proven with the very people that accuse others of doing so...

Then there's the issue of some of us receiving money... Where?!? Oh please, if these rumors are true, let us know where the money is so we can buy new motorcycles... ROFLMAO!!!

Seriously though, what effect does their rumor mongering, black propaganda and baseless lies do to us? It only makes people more interested in knowing who we are, what we do and what we represent... In the process, they see the truth, they see through the lies that they promulgate, they discover the senselessness of their accusations and they eventually switch sides over to us...

As the saying goes, "the truth will set you free"... However in this case, the truth, has set us all free from their childish and desperate acts of throwing dirt into the faces of those who only mean to do good and not use the public for their own selfish benefit, self centered ideals and delusions of grandeur...

So again, feel free to spread more baseless rumors, senseless lies, black propaganda and slanderous statements about us and other people... It only gives us more opportunity to show them who is for the rider and who speaks the TRUTH...

Read More

A rude awakening...

ADVISORY:

Just had a phone meeting with Mario Umbao Gaudiano, Head of the ICC on Helmet Program and Specialist Product Manager of the BPS under the DTI.

I have just confirmed the "alleged" meeting with the DOTC, LTO, MMDA, MCPF and another undeclared party with him and the program being "arranged" in Antipolo for August 18.

Here is what we talked about:

1. The meeting took place and a lot of questions were raised... There was another party in the meeting which was not included in the announcements made... Why? I don't really know and honestly, I don't really care... A lot of questions were thrown around and a lot of advise coming from the DTI as to the issues facing the riders in the stickering program and the upcoming street level apprehensions... All they (the undeclared party) can utter is, "what can we do, the law has been passed... Whats left is for us to TRY and make amendments to it..." I would say, since you have made this law, instead of passing blame to others when you could have fixed it prior to it's approval, is spearhead its amendment... If you can't or wont, then we will fix the mess you left for us...

2. As far as enforcement on street level is concerned, the discussion led to, the LTO does not need to issue any directive or deputation to any of the enforcement agency (MMDA, LGU and PNP) for them to conduct their own operation... The issue with this is, since the law has many TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, the enforcement can misinterpret or use their own interpretation to apprehend riders... A means to corruption on the streets and pass the burden to the riders as stated in our fears and worst expectations... DTI is asking LTO and the other agencies to setup guidelines on what is required on the streets as the ICC sticker should only serve as the guideline for the consumer and not the enforcer... This way, the consumers are protected from the worst on street level... I told him that it may not be enough that the amendment is the absolute solution... All we need to do is to make it happen and support what needs to happen...

3. There are no arrangements, no MOA's, no joint forces or agreements between the DTI and any other group except the other government agencies involved in this act... So anything announced, is something that DTI has been conducting and doing from the get go... The stickers and forms are free since this all started... The offer to serve groups, organizations, NGO's and private companies with 30 riders/helmets or more is something they came up on their own and had been doing before some announcements were made claiming it as their project or saying that it is "courtesy of..." MRO's announcement on August 2 in regard to this is clear that this was instigated by the DTI and they reached out to us for help and cooperation which we gladly agreed to in service of the community... NOT TO TAKE CREDIT FROM WHERE IT IS DUE...

4. That there are things that has yet to be coordinated properly, but should always be coursed through the DTI so that nobody is misquoted, misinterpreted and misrepresented... In fairness to the others, there is a program on August 18 in Antipolo as announced only verbally late yesterday, but no paperwork has been made and no notice given to the DTI branch in Antipolo as of this morning...

5. That prior to making such statements or announcements, we should be sure of what we promise people before things go sour and things become ill gotten... It is so easy to say that they announced it without coordination and planning if this was to push through or not and now, they are trying to rush the departments who had offered this program to them like it was offered to us... That program in which they are claiming as their own and making it FREE for their co-federation members only...

6. That it is sad to see how something that DTI had given to the people on their own accord is being claimed by others and is even being promulgated as "courtesy of" the said parties taking recognition from those UN-aware... That this will be brought up with the Director of the BPS and the Under Secretary of the DTI on how they were not shown due respect with these acts of hypocrisy from the very people who have been attacking the other groups because of their (candidly announced) intention to run for office and yet, they allow this ka-EPAL-an to happen... And when I say "allow", I mean it by giving them the benefit of the doubt that they did not instigate or is not part of any of this pre-marking of DTI's form for the stickering of helmets...

With that said, I hope, for their sake, that they only made a mistake in their statements (which the followup posts clearly shows otherwise) and make the necessary corrections and give back credit to where it is due... The DTI only means to help the people and protect the consumer... However, since they are only the implementing body of the LAW, the people behind the said ACT should have made efforts to help protect the riders that they CLAIM to represent instead of making it look like they are CLAIMING CREDIT for what DTI has been doing for us...

And what makes it more intriguing is the fact that they announced that they will put a stop to the stickering through the DOJ and now, they admit that they cannot do anything about what they have started in the first place... That they have even resorted to pointing fingers at other people that, if they only paid attention to and listened to the warnings of others, could have been avoided prior to the passage of the LAW...

It is truly funny how all of this works...

All this could have been avoided if only they PAID ATTENTION and put the people's interest before their own that has looked like it only fed their EGO...

Read More