Motorcycling in the Philippines

According to South China Morning Post, in the Philippines, motorcycles are more popular than cars, outselling them by more than four to one. They first became popular there in the 1990s and now, there are 18 million two-wheelers on Philippine roads. Couple that with a lacking EMS system, getting hurt in the Philippines can be a real disaster. Read this article in Emergency-Live to learn more. ASM/Road Guardians has been working with a Dentist in the Philippines, Doctor LeBoy Crodua, who is also a motorcycle rider and recognizes the importance of ASM training. He completed our instructor training about 5 years ago.

Last year I noticed that Doc Leboy had initiated a Facebook fundraiser for Accident Scene Management on his birthday. I thought that was particularly kind because Doc has had trouble being able to offer training in the Philippines because, quite honestly, it is a very poor area and people can’t afford to pay for training. Doc does what he can to provide community education but as a motorcyclist, he knows how important it is for riders to be able to help each other. Sometimes, here on the USA mainland, we take for granted that we have quick access to medical care but it’s not like that everywhere! There are some countries where when they call for an ambulance they wait for a day or two for someone to arrive. Bystander care is extremely important.

When I saw Doc’s fundraiser I decided right there and then ASM was going to help promote that and that we would match whatever was raised and would send student materials to the Philippines so that training could be offered for cheap or even for free if Doc desired. His fundraiser raised about $275. ASM/Road Guardians sent $600 worth of student materials and paid $90 for shipping! We are excited about this opportunity to help others. We are now working with Philip Woods from Liberia to help him get a program up and going to help those riders.

Doc says he will send pictures of students as he gets them trained. I look forward to posting pictures of the students on our Facebook page in 2022.

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