In an effort to recognize the heroism and the important role they played during the stretch of an unprecedented pandemic, the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) recently honored the country’s delivery riders through the Search for the Most Outstanding Delivery Riders of 2022 program.
Anchored under the Generation Road Safety Campaign launched by MDPPA, the idea was raised by the Road Safety Committee during last year’s Business Planning and was immediately, and unanimously approved by MDPPA’s Board of Directors. During the launching of the search at the IR Summit in April 2022, Mr. Hermino Lomibao Jr., MDPPA’s Road Safety Committee Chairman, expressed that “The Delivery Riders played a very important role during the pandemic. They did not only deliver goods, foods, and medicines, but more importantly, they deliver hope right on the doorsteps of our households, and for that, we need to recognize them. For us, they are one of the most important frontliners in battling the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
Mr. Norminio Mojica, MDPPA’s President, further emphasized that, “All of us, one way or the other, have stories to tell – old or young, rich or poor, no one was spared by COVID. It was the Delivery Riders who took care of our important necessities during the time that people cannot go out. They risked their own lives, so that other people may continue to live. Imagine how difficult it would have been during the pandemic, if not for them.”
Selection of Nominees
The online registration was open on May 2022 and immediately, more than 500 nominees were received by MDPPA from all over the Philippines; after which, they were subjected to a careful and tedious selection process. The candidates were trimmed down to the top 50 via an online examination on Road Safety. Out of the top 50, 24 deserving delivery riders were then carefully chosen through an essay exam and video upload as bases. The top 24 nominees went through a rigid panel interview. The nominees from Visayas and Mindanao were interviewed online, while the candidates from Luzon and National Capital Region (NCR) were interviewed in-person by the MDPPA Board and members of the Road Safety Committee together with the third party representatives, Maj. Ram Rafuson of Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and Mr. Edwin Go, the President of Motorcycle Dealers Association of the Philippines (MDAP), this is to ensure fairness and were part of the selection process.
After a thorough deliberation, the 12 finalists from all over NCR, Luzon, and VisMin were determined. The finalists were asked to convene at B Hotel in Alabang for the last leg of tests, which include a practical exam and character test on customer service.
The Delivery Riders of the Year
The culminating activity, which was the announcement and awarding of winners was held on July 15, 2022 at Vivere Hotel. One winner each from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR were hailed as Delivery Riders of the Year; namely: Honey Jhun Geverola of Mindanao (LBC Rider), Hipolito Hil Magbanua of Visayas (Flash Rider), Rodolfo Luna, Jr of Luzon (Borzo Rider), and Ruben Moreno, Jr. of NCR (Lalamove Rider). The four winners received brand-new motorcycles each as grand prize, gift certificates, and numerous freebies from sponsors, which include helmets, top box, riding gears, and many more.
Mr. Geverola of Mindanao took home a Suzuki SkyDrive, Mr. Luna of Luzon wins a Honda Beat, Mr. Moreno got a Yamaha Mio, and Mr. Magbanua will ride a Kawasaki Rouser.
Mr. Ruben Moreno, the Best Delivery Rider of NCR, shared on his vlog how this event changed their lives. He expressed that, “Never in my wildest dream that “us”, the delivery riders, will be given such an honor, attention, and accolades, which MDPPA gave to me and my fellow deliver riders”. He furthered that “for as long as we are doing our job with a spirit of service coupled with joy and smile, we will truly be rewarded”.
The project was successfully held in cooperation with Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, and Metro Manila Development Authority as the Government partners in the search. The Motorcycle Dealers Association of the Philippines, through its President, Mr. Edwin Go, who also represents Motorsiklo Xclusibo as the media partner and host the country’s radio station dedicated for motorcycle, as the major partner of the event.
(CMM)
(The four winners of Best Delivery Rider 2022 with MDPPA’s Board of Directors)