Industry News
New Leaders Drive GWM Forward
GWM Philippines is reinforcing its leadership ranks with the appointment of two well-experienced industry professionals under its local distributor, Luxuriant Automotive Group, Inc. (LAGI).
Heading sales operations is Jude Racadio, who now serves as Sales Director. Racadio’s career spans from manufacturing and parts planning to inspection, sales, and marketing. Rising from a production manager to a national sales director in his previous company, he brings both technical know-how and strong leadership to his new role. At GWM, he will focus on boosting sales performance and developing dealer networks to ensure sustainable growth in the Philippine market.
Meanwhile, Vincent Marquez has been appointed as Deputy Director for Training and Product Planning. Well regarded in the industry for designing effective dealership training programs, Marquez has helped improve product knowledge and sharpen sales techniques in previous roles. His expertise is expected to shape GWM’s training and product planning strategies, ensuring that both dealers and customers gain a deeper understanding of the brand’s vehicles and services.
“These appointments mark another step forward for GWM Philippines as we continue to build a strong and capable team,” said Daximilian Avenido, Brand Head and Marketing Director of GWM Philippines. “Both Jude and Vincent bring valuable industry knowledge and proven track records that will help us accelerate our growth and reinforce our commitment to delivering world-class vehicles and customer experiences to the Filipino market.”
With Racadio and Marquez onboard, GWM Philippines said it is positioning itself to further expand its presence and push for stronger competitiveness in the second half of 2025 and the years ahead.
Pasay City — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expressed its full support for the use of digital tools in monitoring flood control projects with the launch of the Flood Control Project Components (FCPC) under the Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation (DIME) initiative on Thursday at the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes, in his welcome remarks, said the system will play a vital role in addressing flooding, one of the biggest problems in Metro Manila. He noted that DIME makes it easier to determine if a project is working, allowing government to act faster and provide better protection for communities.
“This will ensure safety and well-being while promoting transparency,” Artes said, adding that the step is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to digitize government processes and guarantee that public funds directly benefit the people.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) leads the program, which incorporates advanced technology such as satellite imaging, drones, and geotagging to track the progress of major government infrastructure projects.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman highlighted the importance of public involvement, encouraging citizens to share their input on projects under DIME.
The launch also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with various agencies: the Department of Transportation, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, Philippine Space Agency, and the Government Data Initiative.
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, UP-NOAH Center Director Mahar Lagmay, and representatives from civil society groups joined the event to show their support.
Foodpanda Logistics has rolled out a year‑long “Ka‑panda Gasolinahan” deal with Caltex that gives partner riders a 10‑peso cut per liter at participating stations nationwide. The program is live in multiple cities and will expand to more locations soon to help riders cope with rising fuel costs and keep more of their earnings.
Rider Experience Lead Ron Sanders said the initiative began before the latest wave of price hikes and is part of broader efforts to support partner riders’ livelihoods. He added that foodpanda Logistics shoulders seven pesos of the 10‑peso discount per liter to further ease expenses.
The discount has launched across Albay, Bacolod, Batangas City, Benguet, Bulacan, Butuan, Cabanatuan, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Camarines Sur, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lipa, Ormoc, Palawan, Pampanga, Roxas City, San Fernando, Surigao, Tacloban, Tarlac, and Zamboanga. Cavite and Metro Manila are set to follow in the coming months.
To claim the discount, riders must secure a Caltex SavePlus card, link it to a Caltex Rewards account via the provided registration link, then present their Rider ID and card number when fueling. The discount can be applied to up to three liters per transaction.
Sanders said the registration process mirrors the platform’s streamlined onboarding to keep things simple. He noted that Foodpanda Logistics has offered similar fuel and partner perks as other brands since the pandemic era, when the rider sector experienced rapid growth.
Cebu commuters are getting a welcome break as the Department of Transportation (DoTr) revives the iconic Love Bus, this time, with free rides.
Starting with 11 buses running the Talisay City–Anjo World to Cebu City route, the program benefits around 2,462 passengers daily while giving steady work to 44 drivers and operators. For workers and students, the savings are significant.
Passengers said a one-way trip used to cost ₱30, or ₱60 for a round trip each day. With the Love Bus now free during peak hours, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the relief is immediate.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon shared that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pushed for the revival, saying the goal was not only to bring back a nostalgic piece of transport history but also to make it better by making it free. “The program is worth it because it directly benefits the passengers,” Dizon said.
The Love Bus “Libreng Sakay” was first rolled out in Cebu last July under the Service Contracting Program, initially serving the Urgello–Parkmall route and carrying about 20,000 passengers daily. Since then, nearly 650,000 commuters have taken advantage of the free service.
Officials say this is just the beginning, with plans to expand the program across the country. For many Cebuanos, however, the return of the Love Bus already feels like a small but important victory in the battle against rising daily expenses.
