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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider HARI salutes Biyahenyo and Biyahero transport entrepreneurs

HARI salutes Biyahenyo and Biyahero transport entrepreneurs

Introduces key advocacy to empower operators

Published May 16, 2025 03:15 am

At A Glance

  • To celebrate empowered and inspiring transport entrepreneurs, HARI launched the inaugural Biyahenyo Awards to recognize hard-working and successful transport entrepreneurs that can serve as a shining example for others.
The Hyundai HARI Cab in shuttle and van form.

On the month celebrating the Filipino worker, Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), distributor of Hyundai commercial vehicles, renews its commitment to support the advancement of entrepreneurship across the country. It did so with the launch of its lineup of electric commercial vehicles (ECV) and the Biyahenyo Program designed to empower transport entrepreneurs.

This all occurred at the Hyundai Truck and Bus Mobility EV-olution Expo held May 2 at the Filinvest Tent, Alabang, where HARI gathered key stakeholders from government, business, and transport cooperatives.

"We want our clients, particularly those in public transport, to evolve with us,” said HARI Vice Chairman, President, and CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo. “The Biyahenyo is an empowered transport entrepreneur who embraces innovation to uplift one’s family, community, and the country. By growing a network of Biyahenyos, we envision the rise of Biyaheros — visionary leaders whose success stories will inspire others to drive industry transformation."

Biyahenyo and Biyahero Awards

To celebrate these Biyahenyos, HARI launched the inaugural Biyahenyo Awards to recognize hard-working and successful transport entrepreneurs that can serve as a shining example for others.

From left: HARI Chairman Richard L. Lee; Magnificat Transport Manager, Mark Isla; Chairman, Leonardo Llanete; and General Manager Marissa Isla; with HARI Vice Chairman, President, and CEO, Maria Fe Perez-Agudo; Hyundai Motor Company Asia Pacific Vice President, Jun Heo; and HARI Director, Treasurer, and Chief Finance Officer, Ladislao Z. Avila Jr.

HARI recognized Magnificat Transport Cooperative for its operational excellence, fleet expansion, and strict adherence to Hyundai’s Preventive Maintenance schedule — ensuring safety for passengers while securing long-term success. Their modern PUVs serve the Tanauan-Lemery and PITX-Bacoor routes.

Meanwhile, the Biyahero Awards celebrated the Tayug Pangasinan Transport Cooperative (TAPTRANSCO) for its remarkable financial discipline, repaying its loan in just three years instead of seven and acquiring land to build its own garage-terminal. Serving the Tayug-Urdaneta route, TAPTRANSCO’s success has inspired numerous drivers to join its cooperative, while its Chairman, Manny de Vera, has become a sought-after speaker at modern jeep conferences, sharing insights on sustainable success.

Magnificat Board Chairman, Leonardo Llanete, proudly affirmed that their cooperative made the right choice in selecting Hyundai Truck and Bus as their trusted partner provider. “Proud and thankful ang Magnificat. ‘Sakto sa napag-aralan namin sa seminar ng Office of Transportation Cooperatives na kung pipili ka ng unit provider, dapat may pangalan, may karanasan at matatag na sa larangan ng transport industry. (Just like what we learned at the Office of Transportation Cooperatives, when you choose a unit provider, it has to be one with a name, experience, and reputation in the transport industry.)”

From left: HARI Chairman, Richard L. Lee; TAPTRANSCO Board, Realyn Tarape; Romilyn Astudillo; Fernandino Cabote; and Vice Chair, Leo Lilagan, Jr.; HARI Vice Chairman, President, and CEO, Maria Fe Perez-Agudo; Hyundai Motor Company Asia Pacific Vice President, Jun Heo; and HARI Director, Treasurer, and Chief Finance Officer, Ladislao Z. Avila Jr.

While TAPTRANSCO Chairman, Manny de Vera, affirmed that the award validates their hard work and dedication to serve their community. “This recognition is for every single member of TAPTRANSCO — the drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, and officers who work tirelessly day in and day out to keep the people of Tayug moving. It is a motivation for all of us to continue finding ways and means to improve our services to the public.”

The future of commercial mobility

The fully electric Hyundai County bus and Mighty truck.

The Expo opened exciting opportunities to Biyahenyos with the introduction of HARI’s first electric commercial vehicles — the Hyundai County Electric and Hyundai Mighty Electric — alongside the locally assembled HARI Cab (ICE).

While the Transport Forum held later that day brought in experts to discuss modernizing transport systems, the shift to EV technology, and the role of smart mobility in driving business growth.

With groundbreaking technology and a vision for sustainable transport entrepreneurship, HARI is leading the next phase of commercial mobility.

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