Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with The Oriental Albay Hotel for the supply of 450 units of modern Hyundai public utility vehicles.

Also, HARI in partnership with Hyundai Trucks and Buses Alabang targets 30 local transport cooperative groups with 150 members as potential buyers.

In a statement, HARI said they mounted the Hyundai BiyaHenyoCaravan’s recent Bicol leg in support for the nationwide Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the government to refleet and modernize old trucks in the country and support local entrepreneurs.

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 her remark, HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said “The Hyundai Modern PUV is a vehicle for connecting communities, moving people and products for major industries, showcasing the beauty of the regions, and, in so doing, gives a boost to the quality of life of individuals and communities.”

Agudo reiterated 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,” she added.

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.

The caravan was graced by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 5 Director PNP Major General Antonio N. Gardiola, Jr., 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.

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.”