The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) was one of the key attendees in this year’s Public and Private Joint Forum in Asian Region (29th Asia Government and Industry Meeting), hosted by the Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) last November 26 to 28, 2024, at the Acacia Hotel Manila, Muntinlupa City.
This significant event convened government officials and automotive industry leaders from ASEAN countries, as well as China, India, Pakistan, and Japan, to deliberate on advances and strategies following accession to the 1958 Agreement.
Representing MDPPA were Technical Committee Members Andrew Angeles, Joselito Ang, and Gilmar de Castro. The forum, co-chaired by the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI- BPS) and Japan’s Automobile Standards Internationalization Center (JASIC), emphasized the importance of unified regulations and regional collaboration to harmonize vehicle regulations which remove technical barriers among Member States and enhance road safety and innovation within the automotive sector.
Image courtesy of the Department of Transportation (DOTr)
The three-day event opened with welcoming remarks from DOTr Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega and a keynote address by DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, highlighting the Philippines’ commitment to the objectives of the 1958 Agreement. Technical presentations provided updates on domestic standards, regulatory plans, and the adoption of UN regulations, reflecting the collective progress of member economies. Representatives from various economies offered perspectives on traffic safety and future regulatory trends. Participants also benefited from technical tours to Hino Motors Philippines (HMP) in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna, gaining firsthand knowledge of aftersales operations and manufacturing innovations.
MDPPA’s participation in the forum aligns with its commitments to actively participate and cooperate with other economies on policy formulation and rulemaking beneficial to Philippine domestic situations, promote road safety and sustainable industry development. Earlier this year, MDPPA launched the “Tropang MAALAM” campaign, an advocacy initiative aimed at enhancing motorcycle rider safety through education, awareness, and stakeholder engagement. “Tropang MAALAM” stands for “Tropang Modelo, Alerto, Aktibo, Ligtas, Aalalay, at Matalino”, encapsulating the campaign’s mission to empower riders to embody these qualities.
Through active engagement in regional forums and the implementation of initiatives like “Tropang MAALAM”, MDPPA continues to demonstrate its dedication to fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and ensuring sustainable growth in the Philippine motorcycle industry.
