TRiP and MRCPh promote responsible driving and outreach initiatives
After parts of Luzon were badly hit by recent calamities, there were several groups who responded immediately. This includes motorcycle groups who extended help in a jiffy. Before Typhoon Ulysses battered Luzon, Tagaligtas Riders Philippines (TRiP) were already monitoring what was happening, and deciding that their first plan of action was to collect noodles and canned goods from its members. That’s why right after the devastation of Ulysses, they were able to distribute relief goods in Marikina and Rizal.
Ride to educate
TRiP is a motorcycle group that aims to produce disciplined, law-abiding, and responsible motorcycle riders in the Philippines. They have tie ups with government agencies like Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to educate members about motorcyclist’s rights, safety riding, and volunteerism. According to its founder Vonn Vincent Quiñones, their 1,300 riders undergo various training on first-aid and life support so that whenever they see an accident on the road they can help those people who got hurt. Through this kind of volunteerism, they are able to live truly by their club’s name Tagaligtas (savior).
They don’t step on the breaks when it comes to helping because giving back is their core value. Thus, all of their rides are for a cause. More than seeing scenic views along the road, they look forward to seeing smiles from locals in their chosen destinations.
As for helping more typhoon’s victims, they’ve gathered from members monetary and in-kind donations they can contribute. They also accept donations from non-members. They only take goods or items like food, water, toiletries and clothes, which they can pick up directly from the donor’s home. “TRiP avoids monetary donation from non-members to avoid corruption. And we document whatever we received so as to be transparent to the group,” says Quinoñes. Whatever they will collect, they plan to distribute these to those who were greatly affected by the disaster in Cagayan and Bicol on their charity ride coming November 28.
Ride and help
Another motorcycle group that will conduct a charity ride on the same date to Bicol is Motorcycle Riders Club of the Philippines (MRCPh). “It is supposed to be a bonding ride, but due to what happened, we shifted it to a charity ride so we could help our fellow Filipinos in Bicol, specifically in Brgy. San Francisco, Guinobatan Albay,” shares its founder James Bon.
The said ride will be participated by different chapters from Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna, but the event is also open to other motorcycle groups. MRCPh is still accepting in-kind and monetary donations from members and non-members that will enable them to pack most needed goods such as rice, water, noodles, biscuits, toiletries, and other items except used clothes due to Covid-19.
Recently, the club organized a charity drive per chapter that was able to help different typhoon casualties in different areas in Marikina. Charity is one of the club’s priorities and obligations that’s why they are also setting up a charity ride to Cagayan. All of their adventure rides also end with reaching out from disaster victims to orphanages to prisoners to even animals in need. Prior to being involved in charitable works, the club’s 2,700 members nationwide also abide by three more rules: Be faithful to family; Be dedicated to profession; And be devoted to religion.
Good morals and right conduct are what keeps the organization running smoothly. MRCPh is also into producing responsible motorcyclists that’s why they also give free seminars on road safety, traffic laws, and anything about motorcycling. They also have a YouTube channel that aims to disseminate information on safe riding.
So now, if you see these motorcyclists zoom past you like daredevils without fear for their lives, remember these guys who ride to help.