MDPPA President Mr. Boying Mojica – True to His Position

Being elected as the highest official and spearheading an association in times of uncertainty and extreme conditions, is a great challenge that Mr. Norminio “Boying” Mojica wholeheartedly accepted, and passionately conquers. He is the President of the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) and took hold of the position in March 2021.

MDPPA is comprised of the four big motorcycle manufacturers: Honda Philippines, Kawasaki Motors Philippines, Suzuki Philippines and Yamaha Motor Philippines. It is the country’s most relevant motorcycle association, proactive to the needs of industry stakeholders, geared towards global competitiveness and sustainable development of the motorcycle industry. The association aims to address the global industry gaps in road safety, regulation compliance, environmental protection, technology innovation through active consultation, representation and communication with various stakeholders.

Concurrent to taking the MDPPA helm, Mr. Mojica serves as the incumbent Managing Director and Treasurer of Suzuki Philippines Incorporated, assuming this position since 2016. With his expertise and leadership values acknowledged through the years, the Certified Public Accountant who hails from Ilocos Sur was given a herculean task to preside over MDPPA, not just during the pandemic but at the onslaught of other difficulties affecting the industry, such as supply chain disruption, microchip andsemiconductor shortage, and Russia-Ukraine War. Despite these challenges and the internal and external factors that affect the industry, Mr. Mojica considers these as key learning points that will improve the industry in the future. “Everything (that happened) was beyond our control. We cannot predict, just prepare. Despite  the adversities that we are facing, we have to think positive and look at the opportunities ahead. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel and we have to look forward to that. I think it’s important to be positive in our leadership, and influence our people to take these challenges as opportunities to improve further our industry,” he shared.

He cites that his first big challenge as MDPPA President is how to cope and continue business operations in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Mojica remembers,“It is a challenging time for the industry with the difficulty of conducting physical operations.Companies had to struggle with the new normal, and still proceed with business under strict government protocols. MDPPA was key in the development of operational measures as we benchmarked with each member’s best practices. The MDPPA members would constantly coordinate with each other on new information related to COVID-19 restrictions, and communicate any concerns of the industry to the government as necessary. During this time, even though the market is tough and despite the limitations in operation, the motorcycle industry was still able to register 19% and 9%growth for 2021 and 2022, respectively.”

Currently, the industry is facing yet another challenge, with the imminent transition towards electrification, through the introduction of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA). According to Mr. Mojica, “We fully support our government in its endeavor towards electrification, but at the same time, we acknowledge the possible impact to the local automotive manufacturing industry while we transition to electric vehicles. With the introduction of EVIDA, there is a need to balance the direction of the government, with the interests of the local manufacturing industry and the Philippine market. And this came at a time when the industry is still reeling from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of foreign exchange fluctuation, rising inflation, and supply chain disruptions. Our industry is currently working on addressing these issues.”

InsideRACING’s Mr. Al Camba with MDPPA President Mr. Boying Mojica

But despite challenges to  the motorcycle industry for the past years, Mr. Mojica assured that the demand for two-wheels here in the Philippines is still growing. He said, “There is currently no problem with demand. Among the seven member-countries  of the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries (FAMI), the Philippines ranks second after Indonesia in 2021, in terms of sales growth. For MDPPA, we are consistent despite the situation. We are in tough times, and yet the motorcycle industry still registers growth. That is a sign that the industry is on its track to recovery.”

Asked about what he loves as MDPPA President, Mr. Mojica smilingly answered that “it is to work closely with counterparts from the industry. We may be competitors in business, but MDPPA is the place where we can share our expertise together. MDPPA has provided me the opportunity to contribute my knowledge, ideals and experience in improving the industry and at the same time protecting all the stakeholders. That is very important”. He added, “Another thing is the formulation of regulations and laws implemented by the government. Through MDPPA, we are able to communicate the industry’s concerns, and even provide recommendations to the government and contribute in improving and protecting the motorcycle industry’.”

For the stakeholders, Mr. Mojica has this message for the future, “With the landscape of the motorcycle industry, we have to be prepared for the transition to new technologies and innovation, like the electric vehicle (EV). We have to be attuned with the changing condition of the market for us to stay competitive not just as an industry, not just as a market, but as a country. Even though the local manufacturing industry will be affected during the transition from ICE (internal combustion engine) to EV, in the long run it will benefit everybody, and our competitiveness as a country. If we will not adapt and evolve, we will be left behind. MDPPA is working with the government on how the local manufacturing industry can align and adapt towards the direction of electrification.”

The MDPPA officers at the 14th IR Bike Festival and Trade Show in March 2022

After his tenure as MDPPA President, Mr. Mojica looks forward to an individual with a solid experience to be the next leader of the association. “The person should know everything about the ins and outs of the motorcycle industry. One should know not just the character of the association, but its soul as well. We have to protect the association and the industry, and to do that, one should have the guts and the credibility at the same time. Tough leadership. Someone who is neutral, firm, objective and true to his/her position. Even when the time comes, that I am no longer the MDPPA President, I will uphold the same values and advocate for the best interest of the industry”, he declared.

With Mr. Mojica’s objectiveness and passion, he is indeed the fitting President of MDPPA during these tough times for the motorcycle industry.

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