A group of riders in Malabon City earned praises from Mayor Antolin ‘Lenlen’ Oreta and residents for offering their services like buying food or bringing packages for free.
Joseph Legaspi, head of the Malabon Riders’ Association, created a Facebook page called Malabon City Bayanihan Rider Pabili. So far, 500 riders have joined.
“The aim of our group is to make sure that each ‘Malabonian’ stays at home. This is our help to fight the virus and make the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) effective. ‘Hindi panahon ngayon ng sisihan, kundi panahon ngayon ng bayanihan’ (It’s not the time of fault-finding but the time of working together),” he said.
Legaspi said he came out with the idea after noticing the efforts of local officials to extend essential services to residents.
“But there were many residents and Covid-19 is really deadly so I decided to think of ways on how we, as riders, can help the local government at this time of crisis,” he said.
The group’s initiative was noticed by the mayor.
“Nakakataba ng puso na may mga volunteers na gumawa ng kabutihan upang makatulong sa kapwa (It’s heart-warming that there are volunteers doing good things for others,” Oreta said. “I am so grateful that you are here to help others. Thank you for your volunteerism and I am so proud of you Malabon Riders.”
Elaine Mercinal, 45, one of many residents who availed of the free services of Legaspi’s group, was also grateful.
“They are also frontliners, they are unsung heroes who offer themselves without asking anything in return just to help others at this time of crisis. May God bless them all,” she said. ARLIE CALALO
