Cavite’s Dr. Jun Samar is donating bicycles to workers who need transportation during the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to stop the spread of COVID 19.
The nomination-based bicycle donation program for workers dubbed #BisikletaNgPagasa is the good doctor’s follow up project for his community after his meals donation project during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
The bike donation project addresses the GCQ situation that limits passengers in public transportation to 50% capacity and cuts services off by the evening, thus worsening the situation for late-night employees.
The option of commuting in private vehicles is too expensive for ordinary workers who have turned to ride bikes or walking long distances to continue providing for their families.
Dr. Samar announced his project in his village’s Facebook group. To ensure unbiased nomination, only one unrelated neighbor can nominate a person, as well as provide the nominee’s information, describe their lifestyle, good moral character, as well as the impact a bike can have for their life during the pandemic.
Three parties will judge the nominees, who must promise not to sell the bike within the next year and to be a responsible bike owner.
The first breadwinner who received a bike was Aljun Apawan, a grocery store employee whose right leg had been amputated. Prior to the donation, Apawan had to ride his daughter’s kiddie bike five kilometers to and from his home.
In his previous donation drive, Dr. Samar hoped his story would encourage people in other communities to be empathic “movers”. When he first pitched #BisikletaNgPagasa to his friends and neighbors, they willingly and enthusiastically agreed to donate bikes, or provide donations to buy bikes. He takes this as proof that compassion is contagious
“As time passes by, nag-iiba ang needs,” he commented. During the ECQ, it was the lack of food in the community. As the GCQ rolled in, it became a lack of transportation.
By the time schools open again for online classes, it will be a lack of gadgets and internet connection. He says he is already thinking of future plans to help nearby public grade schools.
A recent example of an answer to this learning problem is the Streets to Schools donation drive of UST students where they receive pre-loved gadgets to donate to struggling students in need.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Dr. Jun Samar for his continuing donation drives that now provide bike transport to workers needing transportation during the GCQ.
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