MDPPA’s fight vs. fake motor parts goes full throttle as it joins E-Commerce MOU

MDPPA’s fight vs. fake motor parts goes full throttle as it joins E-Commerce MOU

September 20, 2024

The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) has joined the E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which aims to combat counterfeit motorcycle parts and accessories that put the safety of motorists and passengers at risk.

At the signing held at the IPOPHL office earlier this month, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo said the MDPPA’s move to join the MOU as a signatory is crucial in ensuring public safety, especially at a time that motorcycles have become “a way of life” for passengers seeking affordable transportation options and for drivers in need of a source of income.

Data from the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) show that, in the past decade, motorcycles booked the highest increase among all vehicle types traversing Metro Manila—from only 443,340 in 2013 to 1.6 million in 2023. Its growth was driven by the rise of e-commerce deliveries, as well as the mainstreaming of motorcycle taxis-for-hire.

“With more motorcycle users, counterfeiters have found an opportunity to sell counterfeit parts that could cause accidents and counterfeit accessories that fail to cushion the impact of crashes and falls,” Arevalo said.

For its part, MDPPA President and Kawasaki Motors (Phils.) Corp. Senior Manager Alexander A. Cumpas, who inked the MOU at the ceremony, expressed the commitment of the MDPPA to protect people on the road.

He added that the risk counterfeit motor parts and accessories pose to public safety makes it imperative for government agencies, industries, and platforms to work together to efficiently act on solutions.

Established in 1973, the MDPPA is currently composed of four members, namely Honda Philippines Inc., Kawasaki, Suzuki Philippines, Inc. and Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc.

The MDPPA’s move to join the E-Commerce MOU builds on its previous partnership with IPOPHL forged in 2011 and renewed in 2022. The previous MOAs focused on establishing points of collaboration on IP awareness activities. Now, as a signatory to the E-Commerce MOU, the MDPPA expands its IP initiatives on enforcement and with a larger network of companies, platforms and industry associations to work with.