MDPPA Looks Forward to a More Active Role in Road Safety for 2021

The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA), the Philippine association of motorcycle manufacturers, is looking forward to a more active role in its advocacy for road safety this year. The MDPPA recently inducted its 2021 Board of Directors which is headed by Norminio “Boying” C. Mojica of Suzuki Philippines, Inc (SPH) as President; Virgilio A. Montaño of Kawasaki Motors (Philippines) Corporation (KMPC) as Vice President; Armando “Armie” B. Reyes of Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) as Treasurer; and Alfredo “Buboy” O. Lejano of Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. (YMPH) as Auditor. Because of the pandemic, the new officers were inducted into office by Atty. Clarence V. Guinto, Acting Director of the Law Enforcement Service and concurrent Regional Director of the Land Transportation Office – National Capital Region (LTO-NCR), via virtual event on Zoom.

Atty. Guinto also inducted into office the Committee Chairpersons for 2021, including Toni Boi Acuesta of YMPH as Chairman of the Marketing Committee; Herminio Lumibao of HPI as Chairman for the Road Safety Committee; Virgilio Montaño of KMPC as Chairman for the Technical Committee; and Vicelyn  Layno of MDPPA as the Chairperson for Government Affairs Committee. After the induction of the officers, Atty. Guinto was presented with a Plaque of Appreciation by the MDPPA.

During his valedictory address, outgoing MDPPA President  Buboy Lejano shared the association’s major achievements in 2019-2020 including their participation against the implementation of “Doble Plaka”, the LTO’s plan to implement a two-plate and enlarge license plate scheme for motorcycles, in the guise of preventing crimes perpetuated by riders and riders in tandem. Lejano also narrated the struggles that the motorcycle industry went through during the COVID-19 pandemic where sales went down by a staggering 29.2% in 2020 compared to 2019. He, however, showed the important role that motorcycles played in the continuation of business operations during the pandemic through the motorized messengers and delivery alternatives, especially during the New Normal where remote working and studying practices were implemented.

Incoming MDPPA President Boying Mojica is optimistic about 2021 and the future of the industry. He laid out the directions of the association for this year including proactive involvement and participation in policy formulation and rule-making, the fulfillment of international commitments, and a more proactive approach towards the development of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. He aims to make the MDPPA more visible to the public and looks forward tp a more sustained and coordinated promotion of road safety initiatives, especially with the increasing number of motorcycle-related deaths.

The newly-inducted MDPPA President emphasized that the theme for the online ceremony, “Rising Above and Beyond the Current Challenges“, was not only a rallying cry but an apt description of what will ignite people to more affirmative action. “It will spark our fire to continue delivering the much-needed results despite of the current challenges posed by the pandemic”, Mr. Mojica added. The online event was graced by distinguished guests from the government, affiliate industry associations, MDPPA member-company presidents, the association’s past presidents, officers of the Motorcycle Dealers Association of the Philippines (MDAP), principals of major motorcycle dealerships, members of the motorcycle media and members of the riding community.