Industry News
MDPPA Hits 1,000+ in Road Safety Mission
The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) has trained over 1,000 individuals in road safety during the first half of 2025, continuing its strong push to promote responsible riding in the Philippines.
A total of 1,088 participants—from students to traffic enforcers and motorcycle riders—took part in the organization’s Road Safety Seminars. These sessions are part of MDPPA’s advocacy to create safer roads through awareness, education, and training.
The campaign began at the University of Makati, where MDPPA held two seminars. The first, on February 13, gathered 65 students from the College of Business and Financial Science and the Institute of Imaging Health Sciences. A larger group of 345 students from seven colleges followed on February 27.
On April 25, MDPPA expanded its reach to technical-vocational students at the Dualtech Training Center Foundation Inc., training 155 individuals on road safety fundamentals.
Traffic enforcers in Quezon City also benefited from the initiative. On May 15, 139 officers from the city’s Traffic and Transport Management Department received training on traffic direction, road discipline, and accident prevention.
MDPPA marked Road Safety Week on May 20 with a seminar co-hosted with the Land Transportation Office at Bulwagan Hall in Quezon City. This session focused on defensive riding and emotional control for 77 motorcycle riders.
Two days later, the association returned to Quezon City to train 232 LGU employees and riders, signaling strong local support for safety education.
Wrapping up the first half of the year, MDPPA held a session in partnership with the Tanay LGU on June 12, reaching 75 local residents with practical road safety knowledge.
“Through these seminars, we are shaping a safety-first mindset that resonates with every generation of riders,” said Michael Lopez, Chairperson of MDPPA’s Road Safety Committee.
More seminars are scheduled for the second half of the year.
MDPPA counts Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and TVS among its members. It also runs the Tropang MAALAM campaign, focused on educating and empowering motorcycle riders to be responsible and alert road users.
VICOAP and several road safety groups are urging the government to make brake testing mandatory for public utility vehicles after new data showed that many PUVs still operate with unsafe braking systems.
The call was made during a media roundtable in Taguig City, held ahead of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. VICOAP presented its brake test results from January to September 2025, showing that 47.3 percent of inspected PUVs failed to meet minimum brake safety standards. The group said this signals an urgent need to strengthen regular inspections to protect everyday commuters.
Participants from e-Sakay, De La Salle University, WRNumero, and the Philippine Advocates for Road Safety joined the discussion to push for reforms based on real data, not guesswork. WRNumero also shared survey findings showing that eight in ten Filipinos worry about getting into road accidents, with lower-income commuters expressing the most concern.
VICOAP spokesperson Atty. Lester Cavestany emphasized that brake testing is not red tape but a basic safety measure. The organization said it hopes policymakers will refine existing rules and require stricter inspections as part of the DOTr’s Road Safety Action Plan.
Bosch Car Service (BCS) Philippines has become the first independent workshop in the country that is officially authorized to service electric and hybrid vehicles, marking a key step in building a wider after-sales support network for electrified cars.
The milestone was formalized in Cavite on November 7, 2025 through a signing ceremony between ACMobility and Bosch Car Service. The move positions BCS as the lead player in the independent aftermarket sector for EV and hybrid servicing, at a time when more Filipinos are starting to consider electrified vehicles.
BCS now offers a full suite of services for EV and hybrid owners, from basic preventive maintenance and accessory installation to complex work such as high-voltage battery diagnostics, repair, and conditioning. The network also handles mechanical and electrical diagnostics, air-conditioning servicing, software updates, and warranty servicing for its original equipment partners.
According to BCS General Manager Geronimo Campilan, dependable service is becoming a critical part of the shift to electric mobility. He said the joint development with ACMobility is designed to expand access to expert EV care and to give owners more confidence, convenience, and support throughout the ownership cycle.
As an independent aftermarket network, BCS aims to help in three areas. First is giving consumers a more accessible service option for EVs beyond traditional dealer workshops. Second is raising standards for workshops by investing in EV-ready facilities and equipment. Third is supporting multiple car brands that need after-sales partners as they roll out more EV and hybrid models nationwide.
Paulo Duarte, Managing Director of Bosch Philippines, said electric mobility introduces new expectations on safety, technical capability, and service quality. He added that Bosch is equipping its workshops and technicians with advanced tools and skills so they can remain competitive as the EV market develops.
Technicians in the Bosch Car Service network undergo global certification and specialized training in high-voltage safety and EV or hybrid systems at Bosch training centers. The company says this continuous upskilling is meant to ensure every workshop can deliver safe and expert care that follows international standards.
The initiative aligns with Bosch’s “Invented for Life” philosophy and complements ACMobility’s wider investments in EV charging hubs across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, where the group is developing digital platforms to make it easier for customers to locate chargers and service centers nationwide.
With the expanded capabilities of Bosch Car Service Philippines, EV and hybrid owners now have a dedicated independent workshop network that can provide bumper-to-bumper care as the country moves deeper into the electrified era.
Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. has officially sealed a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned energy giant Aramco, marking a major milestone for the Philippine fuel industry. Under the deal, Aramco acquired a 25-percent equity stake in Unioil, a move that strengthens both companies’ foothold in the fast-growing local energy market.
With nearly six decades of experience, Unioil is known as one of the country’s leading fuel distributors and a pioneer in cleaner fuel products. The new partnership grants Unioil access to Aramco’s global refining and logistics network, ensuring a stable fuel supply to meet rising demand in the Philippines while supporting national energy security.
Unioil CEO Janice Co Roxas-Chua called the agreement “a new chapter defined by innovation and excellence,” adding that the collaboration would allow the company to expand its reach and elevate customer service. President Kenneth Pundanera said the deal aligns with Unioil’s vision of becoming the fuel retailer of choice, highlighting the partnership as proof of global confidence in the Philippine market.
The Philippine Competition Commission earlier cleared the transaction, paving the way for this strategic alliance aimed at driving innovation, growth, and sustainability in the local energy sector.
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