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
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