From 21 September to 24 September 2010, the simultaneous meetings were held by FAMI’s various Committees (Management, Technical, Research and Planning), Sub-Committees (Harmonization, Environment, Safety) and Task Forces (Road Safety, Information, and Intellectual Property Rights).  Said meetings aimed to further develop and promote the motorcycle industry in Asia with conscious and active role in ensuring safety on the road and the environment.   The event was capped with socials, a plant tour and a golf match to further the camaraderie among attendees.

The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) showed its zealous support to the said event and came in full-force.  The complete Board Members led by its President, Mr. Reynaldo M. Gener (Honda) were there.  So were the majority of the members of its Technical Committee led by its Chair, Mr. Rolando Cruz (Suzuki), who is also a Board Member (second from left in the picture).

The FAMI comprises seven motorcycle associations in Asia – Indonesia (AISI), Japan (JAMA), Malaysia (MASAAM), The Philippines (MDPPA), Singapore (SMCTA), Taiwan (TTVMA), and Thailand (TAIA).   It is a member of the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA), the Geneva-based body that represents the motorcycle industry worldwide.

The Safe Riding Seminar-Workshop is part of the MDPPA’s outreach program to advocate road safety.  This project is spearheaded  by  the MDPPA’s  Road  Safety  Committee   under  the  leadership  of  Chair  Gilbert  Limjoco with esteemed trainors from MDPPA’s members, ie. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Eastworld Motor, Yamaha, and Kymco.  The project will culminate in November 2010.  With the very positive feedback received on this project, the MDPPA is considering continuing this activity for next year.

The way to the Palms Country Club might have been lengthened by heavy traffic, but the MDPPA, through the Presidents’ Dinner held last June 11 at the said venue, smoothly laid out their plans for 2009.

Present of course were the presidents of all its manufacturers-members: Mr. Yoshiaki Takeda (Yamaha Motor Phils.), Mr. Katsuhisa Yoda (Honda Phils. Inc.), Mr. Satoshi Uchida (Suzuki Phils.), Mr. Paul Lin (Kymco Phils.), Mr Alfredo Alarcon (MCX), and Mr. Joseph Sison (Motorstar).

The MDPPA hosted the dinner among its members to recognize the new presidents of each member (mostly new since last year).  And then the MDPPA activities for the year were presented, some of them already achieved like the Road Safety Activities that kicked off with the MDPPA’s participation in the road safety month celebration last May.  In line with it, the MDPPA installed seven road safety billboards nationwide.  Road safety streamers along MRT routes along EDSA and Macapagal Avenue were also put up.  Through its participation, the MDPPA also encouraged government officials and media involvement in the road safety campaign.

They also cited the continued conduction of motorcycle maintenance seminars for both private and government agencies that included Zenith Canlubang (food processing plant), and vehicle maintenance programs sponsored by the city governement of Marikina and Cabanatuan.

The MDPPA recommended among others: the adoption of the UN-ECE R22 Helmet and its equivalent standard helmet to ensure safety of motorcycle riders; the development of other fuels aside from E10; the participation in the industry discussion of the government accession to the 1958 Agreement; and member ship in the WP29.

The organization is also currently reviewing the Road Safety Bill filed at the Senate and the employment of the Electronic Certification of Payment.  And then there’s the continuous out outreach programs the MDPPA is doing throughout the year.   Later, the members were enlightened on matters surrounding the Intellectual Property Rights.  Last May 20, the IPR seminar was conducted for the MDPPA members with the help of the Intellectual Property Office.

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In observance of the Road Safety Month and in support of the DOTC’s “Ligtas Lakbay Tuloy ang Buhay” project, the Motorcycle Development Program Partici- pants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) organized road safety activities that commenced with the formal unveiling of the MDPPA Billboard last May 10 at C5 corner Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.

Now on its second year, the month- long celebration drew various groups and individuals representing MDPPA’s seven manufacturer-members: Honda Philippines, Inc., Kawasaki Motors Phils. Corp., Suzuki Philippines, Inc., EastWorld Motor Industrial Corp. (Motorstar), MCX Motor (Phils.), Inc., Yamaha Motor Phils., Inc. and Kymco Philip- pines, Inc. The said manufacturers, through the MDPPA, maintain their advocacy of safety, and the event is just one way of showing their support to the government’s continued promotion of safety riding to re- duce accidents on the road. The association also conducted said billboard campaign in Visayas and in Mindanao.

The successful celebration culminated with another assembly at the Honda Safety Driving Center on May 31 in Bicutan, Taguig. Present to give inspirational talks were Atty. Jimmy Pesigan (LTO Director), Mr. Rodel Pablo (MDPPA President), Mr. Arnel Doria (HSDC General Manager), and the following personalities to give their two cents worth: Ronnie Viray (Honda), Red Cruz (Kawasaki), Romulo Manauis (Suzuki), Michael Altamira (Motorstar), Manny Manguiat (MCX), Cyrus Astillero (Yamaha), and Mel Chua (Kymco).

To further stress their cause, the MDPPA also conducted safety riding seminars to the different clubs who joined the event. The knowledgeable lecturers gladly answered the questions raised by the attendees. After the very informative discussion, the riders trooped down the center proper for the fun games that the MDPPA prepared. Back were the slalom and narrow plank which everyone enjoyed. Prizes were given to the lucky winners.

The 2nd MDPPA Road Safety Month Celebration was sponsored by Uratex, Petron, MotoSpray, Easton, Triumph JT, and Imarflex.

Welcome to the maiden issue of MDPPA corner. Thanks to Mr. Camba of Inside Racing for allowing us to have a page in his highly sought magazine. MDPPA corner aims to tackle and provide information about the different issues, activities and program’s aimed for the promotion of philippine motorcycle market in the manufacturer’s point of view…but before we cross the bridge, i wish to introduce to the riding and reading public the motorcycle development program participants association or better known as “MDPPA”. MDPPA was established on 1978 under the development program of boi or board of investments.

The objective of our association are the following:

1. To work together in intensified market development activities aimed at promoting the widespread usage of the motorcycle
2. To encourage and support the establishment and growth of small and medium scale enterprises locally producing motorcycle parts and components in line with government objectives.

For the last years MDPPA is silently supporting and campaigning to different government agencies to arrest the different issue’s haunting the riding public and affecting the promotion of the motorcycle market as a whole.

With the current leadership of MDPPA, we intend to be in the fore front of every issue to promote the interest of our beloved industry so here are the new 2009 set of officers:

President               - Kawasaki Motor Phils. Inc.
Vice-president      - MCX Motor Phils. Inc.
Treasurer               – Yamaha Motors Phils. Inc.
Audit                       - Honda Phils. Inc.

Marketing Committee Chairman          – Mcx Motor Phils. Inc
Technical Committee Chairman           – Suzuki Phils. Inc
Government Committee Chairman      - Yamaha Phils. Inc
Road Safety Committee Chairman       – Honda Phils. Inc

Member Company:
Kymco Phils.
Eastworld Motor Ind. Corp.

As we all know the 2008 contribution of MDPPA member company to our economic activity corresponds to around 600,000 units an increase equivalent to 108% as compared to 2007…. . Thank’s to the different private entities who’s actively promoting the growth of the industry like inside racing’s program. However for 2009 as we’ve read and seen in every news print and television program it seems like the future is bleak. We’ve read too many thing’s like closure of major financial institution in America down sizing of labor force affecting the entire economics of a country…etc…etc. MDPPA on the other hand views that there’s really a clear and present danger which can affect our economy but we don’t see it as big and as massive as being projected in the television and in the news print’s…. . For 2009 MDPPA will work for the achievement of atleast 105% growth from 2008…. We view that our greatest force which is the new heroes of our country (OFW) will continue to propel our economy,aside from the continued effort of all private institution and our government to uplift and save the Philippine economy from a complete disaster…. So as we congratulate and celebrate the 50th issue of inside racing…. And a new coner was born “the MDPPA-corner”…. Whether you like it or not. You’ll hear more from us…ha ha ha …. See you then….