The following officers will serve for a one-year term beginning 01 January 2012:

Alfredo O. Lejano, Jr. (President) is Department Manager for Corporate Services and Logistics of Yamaha Motor Phils., Inc. (YMPH). He held the position of MDPPA Vice President concurrently as Chairman of the Government Committee in 2011. He also served as Treasurer in 2010. A hands-on chief fiscal officer and funds custodian, he has introduced various strategies for the sound management of the association’s finances and ensure checks and balances of its financial status.

Generoso J. Paralisan (Vice President) is Assistant Vice President for External Affairs and Special Assignment of Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI). While a new addition to the Board following the retirement of Mr. Rene M. Gener (HPI’s representative to the Board for years 2006-2011 and MDPPA’s immediate past president), he has been a key hand in the formulation and execution of plans and programs especially on technical matters affecting the industry.

Rodel I. Pablo (Treasurer) is Vice President of Marketing/Sales and Customer Support of Kawasaki Motors (Phils.) Corp. (KMPC). He held the position of MDPPA Treasurer concurrent with the Chairmanship of the Marketing Committee in 2011. It was during his term as president in 2009 that cemented the association’s alliance with the riders’ clubs federations when they united against the implementation of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) project to promote and protect the welfare of the motorcycle riders and owners.

Espie N. Custodio (Auditor) is Consultant of Suzuki Phils., Inc. (SPI). She inherited the position of MDPPA Auditor from her predecessor, Rolly Cruz, in September 2011. (Mr. Cruz still sits in the Technical Committee as SPH’s representative.) She actively contributes to formulating strategies to simplify transactions with the government using her extensive experience in dealing with the latter as SPH’s ImPex Manager for lengthy years.

Gilbert C. Limjoco (Director) is Vice President for Operations of Kymco Philippines, Inc. (KPH). He Chaired the Road Safety Committee in 2010 and 2011. The Road Safety Outreach Seminar conducted every weekend commenced on the latter part of 2009 but its full take off in 2010 magnified MDPPA’s commitment to motorcycle safety riding with the goal to hopefully see less of gory reports of motorcycle road crashes and see more good stories of how motorcycling has changed the landscape of the nation.

After his elections as president, Mr. Lejano designated the following to Chair the various Committees. Unless said designation is revoked, they shall be co-terminus with the elected officers.

• Marketing Committee     : Kymco Philippines, Inc. (KPH)
• Road Safety Committee : Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI)
• Technical Committee      : Kawasaki Motors (Phils.) Corp. (KMPC).
• Government Committee : Suzuki Philippines, Inc. (SPH).
  

The Committees shall be respectively chaired by the following:

 
Allan B. Santiago (Marketing) is the National Sales Manager of Kymco Phils., Inc.

Christopher Capistrano (Road Safety) is the External Affairs Manager of Honda Phils.

Mr. Pablo (Technical) and Ms.Custodio (Government) currently sit in the MDPPA Board.

(L-R) Atty. Nathaniel Arevalo (IPOPhil), Mr. Hisaji Kuroda (JAMA), Mr. Khalili Zulkifli (FAMI), Mr. Alfredo Lejano (MDPPA), Dato’ Syed Mohamad Aidid (FAMI), Mr. Rene Gener (MDPPA), Mr. Andi Hartanto (AISI), Ms. Espie Custodio (MDPPA), Mr. Rodel Pablo (MDPPA), Mr. Gilbert Limjoco (MDPPA)

The 7th Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries (FAMI) Intellectual Property Rights Symposium was held at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Pasay City, Philippines on 27 October 2011 under the auspices of the Motorcycle Development Program Association, Inc. (MDPPA). The Symposium, a bi-annual activity of FAMI’s Intellectual Property Rights Task Force conducted around the seven FAMI members,The presence of FAMI’s President Dato’ Syed Mohamad Aidid and Secretary General Khalili Zulkifli during the Symposium added significance to the event.encourages effective measures to address the increasing MCcounterfeiting activities in Asia.

“IP protection is everyone’s responsibility. The promotion of public’s awarenessand respect for intellectual property rights is of paramount importance”, Dato’Aidid pointed out in his Keynote Message. He also added that as IP promotion andprotection are a continuing challenge, it is time for action to make the difference in the motorcycle industry. Mr. Zulkifli, for his part, congratulated everyone for theirheightened interest on IP protection with his warm opening remarks.

The Symposium aimed at intensifying protection of intellectual property rights inthe motorcycle industry. It pulled together government leaders, industry expertsand innovative entrepreneurs to exchange views on the art of IP protection andpromotion. Officials from the Philippines’ Intellectual Property Office andNational Bureau of Investigation presented the status and updates of their agencies’IPR enforcement activities. Experts from FAMI members, notably the JapanAutomotive Manufacturers Association (JAMA) represented by the Chairman ofits IP Experts Group MC Committee Hisaji Kuroda and Asosiasi IndustriSepedamotor Indonesia‘s (AISI) Head of Legal, Human Resource and SocialAffairs Andi Hartanto, talked on the utilization and commercial management ofIPR; how to further advance cooperation and communication on IPR, and sharedtheir respective association’s practices and    stories on how they successfullycountered the entry of copycats into their markets.

In his presentation, MDPPA Vice President and Government Committee ChairmanAlfredo Lejano outlined the status of motorcycle industry in the Philippinesshowing the steady increase of MC sales since the 1990s. However, a big concernof late is the increasing presence of infringing products and spare parts that haveflooded the market, thereby threatening the growth and continuing viability of themotorcycle manufacturing sector. It is in this context that MDPPA saw it fit toforge a Memorandum of Agreement with the Intellectual Property Office of thePhilippines in July 2011 to generate awareness on the importance of IPR on socialand economic development and the necessity of its protection and enforcement.The long litigation process in the disposition of IPR violation cases were amongMDPPA’s concerns. However, finally with the establishment of specialized IPcourts and the passage of the rules of procedures for IPR cases (Philippine DailyInquirer, October 24, 2011, pp J2 and J3), the industry hopes to see the speedyand quality disposition of cases . In a call for action, Mr. Lejano urged IP ownersto protect their rights, otherwise its value cannot be realized. As everyone’sconcern and responsibility, the magnitude and effects of counterfeiting are suchsignificance that they compel strong and sustained actions from governments,business and consumers.

Representatives from FAMI members, governmental departments, MDPPAmember companies, dealers’ association and media, attended the symposium.MDPPA President Rene M. Gener welcomed the guests who said that everyone’spresence greatly show their interest and concern on the issues surrounding IPR.

Photo shows (L-R) MDPPA Vice President Alfredo O. Lejano, MDPPA President Reynaldo M. Gener, IPOPHL Director General Ricardo R. Blancaflor and Deputy Director General Allan B. Gepty.

In pursuit of intensifying intellectual property rights protection in the motorcycle industry, officials of the Intellectual Property Office Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 20 July 2011 in simple ceremony at the Diamond Hotel Manila.

IPOPHL is the lead agency on intellectual property while the MDPPA is the sole motorcycle association recognized by the Board of Investment tasked to promote and enhance the capabilities of local motorcycle manufacturing firms.

The forging of the partnership recognizes the tremendous value and need to establish an IP environment friendly capable of ensuring ongoing fostering of the motorcycle industry. Under the agreement, IPOPHL shall provide the necessary technical assistance and/or capacity building seminars to the members of MDPPA for the enforcement of IPR in the motorcycle industry as well as ensure seizures of counterfeit products.

For its part, the MDPPA will provide product orientation workshop necessary in identifying counterfeit and pirated goods, assist in IPOPHL and other law enforcement agencies in the surveillance and investigation of persons involved in counterfeiting or infringement activities, and collaborate with IPOPHL and National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights to design a strategic monitoring system that will detect the shipment of counterfeit infringing goods.

“Fake motorcycle parts and components are fatal not only to motorcyclists but to other road users”, Atty. Ricardo R. Blancaflor, IPOPHL Director General, shared during the MOA signing. He emphasized that protection of intellectual property rights should never be compromised.

MDPPA President Reynaldo M. Gener responded that more than just increasing motorcycle sales, one of the thrusts of the Association is to provide a safe mode of transportation. Together with protecting the rights and interests of rightful claimants, it is also our responsibility to uphold safety by generating awareness among consumers on the perils of patronizing counterfeit products, Mr. Gener added.

The Memorandum of Agreement augers well for both the government and the industry as it signal how working together can help realize goals toward meeting the challenges of the business environment.

MDPPA invites non-professional photographers nationwide, especially members of school’s photography clubs, to participate in this photo contest. The theme of the photo contest focuses on safety riding and is an invitation to provide one or two high- quality photographs together with their caption and brief description. The caption and brief description should contain the title of the photograph, power message and site location where the picture was taken. Entry must visually express the enjoyment of safe motorcycle riding. MC in the photo should be in its original form.

Each entrant can submit up to two (2) 8R sized-colored photographs. Each photograph must be submitted in two (2) print copies and CD form, together with the official entry form which is downloadable from the link below.

Photos submitted will be uploaded in the Facebook Account (Mdppassociation Photocontest) especially created for this Contest where participants, their relatives & friends and the public can vote for the best pictures by clicking “Like”. Number of “Likes” shall form part 20% of the total criteria.
The following awards will be given:

1st Prize – PhP 50,000 (cash)
2nd Prize – PhP 20,000 (Netbook)
3rd Prize – PhP 15,000 (Ipod)
3 Consolation Prizes – P2,000 each (SM Gift Check)

Entries should be sent to the following address:

MDPPA Safety Riding on Two-Wheel Photo Contest
c/o Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc.
Unit 302 Jollibee Center
San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

The closing date for entries is 31 August 2011 unless an announcement is made for the extension of the Contest.

CONTEST MECHANICS

1. The MDPPA photo stories contest is open to any non-professional photographer at  least 18 years of age with the exception of MDPPA Employees and employees of its member-companies and their relatives up to the third degree of consanguinity.

2. Pictures must be in its original form and must not have been published before in any  publication.

3.  Judging is scheduled to take place during the first week of September 2011 at the  MDPPA Office in Pasig City. The entries will be judged by professionals in the fields of photography and automotive industry who will recommend winning entries to the MDPPA. Photographs will be judged on relevance to the contest theme, visual appeal/impact, creativity/originality, technical quality, Facebook “Likes” and suitability for presentation during the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industry (FAMI) Meeting in Manila in March 2012. The decisions of MDPPA are final.

4.  Contest results will be published in a leading newspaper on the second week  of September 2011. Winners will also be notified by the MDPPA Secretariat by registered mail and by telephone. Awarding ceremonies will be done during the MDPPA Anniversary on 14 September 2011. Prizes not claimed within sixty (60) days from notification thereof shall be forfeited in favor of MDPPA.

5. All winning entries will be exclusively owned by MDPPA and may use them in  whatever legal manner they wish to.

MDPPA PHOTO CONTEST ENTRY FORM

Please download Official Entry Form by clicking on the attachment:

At the fringes of the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership’s (PGRSP) accord with the global launch of the United Nation’s (UN) Decade of Action for Road Safety (DOARS) 2011-2020 on 11 May 2011, MDPPA launched its “Helmet On, Headlight On (H2O)” Project at the onset of the Road Safety Month by hanging H20 Drop Banners in all Metro Manila offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) including its satellite offices in Malls, and Petron Gas Stations nationwide.

On 29 May 2011, less than three hundred motorcycle enthusiasts converged at the Petron Gasoline Station along Diego Silang, C5, Taguig City at six in the morning for a motorcade dubbed as “H2O RUN”.

Led by MDPPA’s Road Safety Committee Chairman, Mr. Gilbert Limjoco, the convoy followed a route that covered portions of C5 Road, Shaw Boulevard, Old Wackwack, Boni Avenue, Pasig Boulevard back to C5 Road to SLEX East Service Road. The motorcade passed by the residence of Maico Buncio in Mandaluyong as a sign of esteem to the Superbike Champ’s family. The RUN ended at the Honda Safety Driving Center (HSDC) in Bicutan, Parañaque City where a brief ceremony culminated a month-long series of road safety activities.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Rene M. Gener, MDPPA president shared that the H20 Project is the Association’s response to the government’s advocacy on R.A. 10054 (Motorcycle Helmet Act) and A.O. AHS 2008-015 (Rules and Regulations for the Use and Operations of Motorcycles in Highways). MDPPA has been a strong proponent of road safety since day one and becoming even more aggressive in its campaign. He stressed, however, that it takes collective effort to give safety the priority it deserves. As such, he asked everyone present to also be firm in his active role in demanding that road safety and standards be given the prominence they deserve by being constantly compliant with existing safety and standard laws.

“MDPPA is also committed to put racing where it belongs – at the race track and not on the streets, and keep teenagers who are very keen on releasing their adrenaline in a controlled and safe environment”, Mr. Gener said. Aside from its relentless campaign for road safety, MDPPA will also exert efforts to raise the safety standards of the race tracks to avoid another Maico Buncio incident. Anent this, Mr. Gener requested for a one-minute silence for Maico at the start of his message.

“Let us be more safety-conscious and responsible road users”, said Engr. Albert H. Suansing, Executive Director of the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership (PGRSP). Everyone must be aware of the danger of wearing substandard helmets, more so of not wearing a helmet. He emphasized that good helmets and their proper use are effective in reducing fatal injuries. He, likewise, highlighted the importance of automatically turning on headlights while on the road. The mandatory headlights on policy enhances visibility for motorists and can be considered as a low-cost method to reduce crashes and collision given the rising number of motorcycle-related accidents and mishaps in the country, he added. Engr. Suansing, former Chief of the Land Transportation office (LTO) was the proponent of A.O. AHS 2008-015.

Before the symbolic signing of the giant H20 Banner by the MDPPA Board, Guests and Riders Club Officers, Mr. Limjoco reiterated the objective of the H2O Project. The riders also pledged their support to the H2O campaign by affixing their signatures in the giant streamer.

Mr. Francis Rivera of Adventure Team Philippines (Petron’s events partner) in his closing remarks also reiterated on the aim of raising awareness on road safety and accident prevention. It is also important to be aware of the provision of immediate response services for traffic injury victims. Leaflets on road accident first aid were distributed to the riders courtesy of Petron Corporation.

Sponsors for this activity are Petron Corporation and Motoworld. UN ECE-compliant helmets donated by Honda Phils., Inc., Yamaha Motors Phils., Inc. and Motoworld were given away to seven lucky riders. Girlz Ink provided the entertainment during the event.

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.

Participated in by 47 entries, there were four (4) categories in the race with the following winners in each category:

A.    Novice / Beginner’s 115 Open

1. J.E. Inguito – Suzuki
2. Marvin Mangulabnan – HGM
3. Robert Gio Adriano

B.    115 Open

1. Johnlery Enriquez – Suzuki
2. Dashi Watanabe – MTRT/Watanabe Racing
3. Tracy Soyangco – Kawasaki

C.    130 Open

1. Anthony Roman – Castrol
2. Paul Mark Doblada – Suzuki
3. Raniel Resuello – Kawasaki

D.    Open 4-Stroke

1. Marvin Mangulabnan – HGM
2. Paul Mark Doblada – Suzuki
3. Johnlery Enriquez – Suzuki

E.    Automatic Open

1. JR Tan – Suzuki
2. Rizaldy Canare – Replica Pro
3. Benjamin Dolores – JVT Scooters