MDPPA: Putting a nation on wheels

MANILA, Philippines -  The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) met many members of the motoring media at the Thai at Silk Restaurant in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City last July 28 to discuss the growth of the motorcycle industry, its sustaining economic contributions to the country, promoting road safety, and other national issues that involve the two-wheeled community.

Comprised of six motorcycle manufacturers, namely Honda Philippines, Inc., Kawasaki Motor (Phils.) Corporation, Suzuki Philippines, Inc., Eastworld Motor Industries Corporation, Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc., and Kymco Philippines, Inc., these members delivered nearly 760,000 new motorcycles last year, which further increased the population of Filipino motorcyclists to around 4.5 million riders. This year, the motorcycle industry is estimated to reach 1,000,000 total unit sales, this contributes to the social and economic growth of the nation

“The MDPPA is the premier association of motorcycle manufacturers in the country,” said Rene Gener, Honda Philippines representative and MDPPA President, “We are an active organization that deals with multiple local and international trade organizations for the benefit of our Filipino riders. We delivered 85% of the new motorcycles that you see on the road today.” Gener shares proudly, “And motorcycles now command 80% of the new vehicle registered according to the LTO records. With a population of 100 million Filipinos, motorcycle possession is about 34 Filipinos to one motorcycle.”

With such a huge responsibility and an equally huge number of dependents, the MDPPA crafted the MDPPA Roadmap of their action plans from 2009 to 2012 to maintain the growth of the industry.

“But more than just selling motorcycles,” Gener adds. “We plan to take motorcycle safety and environmental friendly consciousness for our riders, pedestrians, and other road users as we aim to make motorcycles more appropriate to the public. We would like to make the image of motorcycles from that of being dangerous to that of a pleasant and convenient mode of transportation. With the grueling number of stories, perhaps it’s time for the broadsheets to come up with their own motorcycle section,” Gener appealed to the media. “The motorcycle industry is growing, and definitely, it’s going to stay. Our plans in MDPPA continues its roadmap in putting a nation in two wheels towards progress.”

As a goodwill to media friends, they raffled off a Pulse Smart Pen which was awarded to Christian Cruz of Auto Extreme and a Honda Beat 110 Scooter which was given to Vic-Vic Bautista of the Journal Group of Publications.