Ride with Pride
Empress MSU - Mindnao State University General Santos City
Embedded Files
In Mindanao State University, motorcycle taxi riders, commonly known as habal-habal riders, play an important role in the daily mobility of students, faculty, and staff. Their services help members of the university community move efficiently across the campus. However, members of the LGBTIQ+ community reported several incidents of harassment, discrimination, and even violence while availing of these services. These experiences affected not only their sense of safety but also their sense of belonging within the campus. In many cases, these situations stemmed from limited awareness of gender sensitivity, safe space policies, and inclusivity among riders.
In response, Empress MSU launched Ride with Pride, a project that aimed to train and empower riders to become advocates of gender equality, inclusivity, and safe spaces. As part of the initiative, a one-day seminar trained riders operating within the university on safe space principles, SOGIESC concepts, and student rights, with a total of 170 out of 211 riders attending the training.
Beyond building awareness, the activity also created an opportunity to formally recognize and organize the riders. Those who completed the training were awarded Safe Space Rider Seals, which signal accountability and help students easily identify riders who have undergone gender sensitivity training. The seal also serves as an indication that these riders have received recognition from the university to operate within the campus.
"Safe rides, safe spaces. Together, we create a respectful and inclusive journey for everyone at MSU–General Santos City."
The project also introduced a Safety Reporting Form (SRF), where students can report incidents related to rider conduct. The form is co-monitored by both Empress MSU and the Riders’ Association leadership to strengthen accountability mechanisms. Five months since the training, no reports have been submitted through the form. A feedback survey was also conducted, where a majority of respondents reported satisfaction with the initiative. Some students also expressed the need to expand similar training to other non-teaching personnel, such as campus vendors.
Through consultations with the University Student Government and the Office of the Chancellor, additional steps are now being considered to expand the initiative. Riders who were not able to attend the initial training, both organized and unorganized, are planned to receive separate gender sensitivity sessions. The Chancellor has also expressed the goal of eventually training and organizing all habal riders operating within the campus. Efforts are also underway to extend similar training to vendors and other non-teaching personnel, with participation planned as part of the requirements for renewing their permits to operate within Mindanao State University.
In the long term, the university aims to institutionalize gender sensitivity training as a core part of campus operations, ensuring that all riders, vendors, and non-teaching personnel regularly receive training to make MSU safer, more inclusive, and supportive of all members of the university community.
#InclusiveEducationForAll across MSU
“By institutionalizing gender sensitivity and safe space policies into the Riders’ Association’s official by-laws, this initiative ensures sustainability and long-term impact, making campus transportation both efficient and affirming for everyone.”
Riders are an essential part of the daily mobility system at Mindanao State University–General Santos City, serving thousands of students, faculty, and staff. Despite this important role, many LGBTQIA++ individuals and other marginalized commuters experience discrimination, harassment, or unsafe practices while traveling on campus. Such incidents undermine their safety, mental health, and overall sense of belonging in the university community. A lack of awareness and training among some riders regarding gender sensitivity and safe space policies has allowed these harmful practices to persist, often unintentionally.
In response to this, EMPRESS MSU, in partnership with the Riders’ Association of MSU–GSC, will conduct a seminar this October 2025 to address inclusivity, gender sensitivity, and safe commuting practices. Coinciding with the University’s Intramurals, when campus activity and late-night travel peak, the seminar will immediately allow the lessons to be applied in real-life situations. The initiative will also launch the Safety Reporting Form for confidential reporting of incidents, introduce the Safe Space Rider Seal as a public mark of commitment, and designate selected riders as GADvocates who will serve as role models, mentors, and advocates of safe space values. By institutionalizing gender sensitivity and safe space policies into the Riders’ Association’s official by-laws, this initiative ensures sustainability and long-term impact, making campus transportation both efficient and affirming for everyone.
About
Empress MSU
About
Empress MSU
Empress MSU is the first and only recognized LGBTQI student organization at Mindanao State University – General Santos City (MSU-GSC). It champions inclusivity, safe spaces, and HIV awareness, actively partnering with the Riders' Association for safer, respectful, and gender-sensitive transportation on campus.
Support your school and join the movement for #InclusiveEducationForAll
Support your school and join the movement for #InclusiveEducationForAll
Contact us to learn more about our advocacy at info@babaylanes.org
Want to explore more?
Want to explore more?
Learn more about other universities in the Philippines advocating for #InclusiveEducationForAll
Page updated
Report abuse