Hyundai Modern PUVs: Now a “Partner in Every Way” of Bicol transport cooperatives

PHOTO: Hyundai HD50S Modern PUV units were on display during the BiyaHenyo Caravan at PROXY by The Oriental Albay Hotel in Legazpi City.

The Hyundai BiyaHenyo Caravan’s recent Bicol leg had Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) upping the ante in its unflagging support for the nationwide Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

In partnership with Hyundai Trucks and Buses Alabang, 30 local transport cooperative groups, or up to 150 members, attended the roadshow event held at PROXY by The Oriental Albay Hotel to solidify their commitment through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the acquisition of 450 units of the Hyundai Modern PUV.

The caravan was graced by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 5 Director PNP Major General Antonio N. Gardiola, Jr., HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, Hyundai Alabang Inc. COO Maxwell C. Quilat, Senior Assistant Vice President of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)-Legazpi Lending Center Francisco M. Sayson, Account Officer of Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)-Albay Lending Center Armel A. Alcantara, and Head of Transportation of AF Payments Inc. Bing Barraquias.

On display were the Hyundai HD50S Modern PUV Class 2 and Class 3. Guests were later treated to a test ride and comprehensive product presentation of Class 2 Modern PUV.

In his brief remarks, Director Gardiola commended HARI’s efforts at PUV modernization in Region 5. “Everyone came to a halt during the pandemic but we must move on and find ways how to drive the PUV Modernization Program. We invited our future partners and I am very glad that Hyundai is one among them who is very active in this endeavor. In fact, they are the first ones to come up with this kind of program here in Bicol.”

Ms. Agudo thanked the group for their trust and support for the Hyundai brand, reiterating that the value of Hyundai Modern PUVs extends beyond meeting the needs of the daily commute. “What matters most to us is the fact that the Hyundai Modern PUV is helping boost the economy of the Bicol region, and of every Philippine province, city, and municipality that it finds itself. It is a vehicle for connecting communities, moving people and products for major industries, showcasing the beauty of the regions, and, in so doing, it gives a boost to the quality of life of individuals and communities,” said Ms. Agudo.

For his part, Mr. Quilat expressed confidence that the Hyundai Class 2 and Class 3 models “will help grow your transport business with our team to assist you in After-sales.”

The signing came at the heels of the recent successful turnover of 15 units of Class 3 HD50S Modern PUVs to the Bulusan Transport Service Cooperative (BULTRASCO) last April in Sorsogon, while earlier, in 2020, a fleet of 23 Hyundai Modern PUVs was released to the Tabaco-Legazpi Transport Cooperative (TALETRANSCO) of Albay province. 

Since its inception in 2017, HARI has turned over more than 500 Modern PUV units all over the country in its bid to be a PARTNER IN EVERY WAY of local governments and cooperatives in making public transport across the nation safer, more comfortable, reliable, sustainable, and more accessible to every Filipino.

HARI launched BiyaHenyo at the start of the year to help transform the transport cooperatives into ‘smartrepreneurs’—or business-savvy owners and operators of Hyundai Modern PUVs. Since its kickoff, the roadshow attracted 80 local transport cooperatives from various key cities and provinces in the country.