With shovels in hand and feet sinking into the soft earth, volunteers from Toyota’s network planted 13,000 mangrove seedlings—each one a small but powerful step toward TMP’s goal of planting one million trees by 2030 under its All Toyota Green Wave Project.

Leading the effort was TMP President Masando Hashimoto, who joined TMP team members, TMP Foundation officers, Toyota Lucena City, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) representatives, local government officials, and members of a people’s organization.

“To mark 10 years of this project, I am proud to announce TMP’s commitment to plant one million trees by 2030,” Hashimoto said in a media release.

“The 13,000 mangrove seedlings we are planting today are part of this goal, in addition to those we have already planted in other parts of Calabarzon. Our work here in Quezon marks our last stop in this region, but our one-million-tree challenge continues,” he added.

Completing the Calabarzon wave

The Unisan site completes TMP’s coverage of the Calabarzon region, joining existing reforestation sites in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal.

Since 2016, TMP has adopted 108 hectares under the DENR’s National Greening Program, focusing on protecting biodiversity in crucial ecosystems like the Sierra Madre and Verde Island Passage.

Located along Tayabas Bay—home to the country’s third-longest coastline—Unisan is both a key biodiversity area (KBA) and a community vulnerable to coastal erosion and storm surges.

Years of human activity have reduced mangrove cover here, but TMP’s five-year plan to plant 50,000 mangroves over 20 hectares aims to help reverse the damage.

Beyond climate mitigation, the effort also brings livelihood opportunities.

Local fisherfolk will help plant and maintain the site, ensuring both ecological and economic benefits.

Championing clean waters

On the same day, two-time Paralympic swimmer and Global Team Toyota Athlete Ernie Gawilan led a coastal cleanup as part of his “Dual Hero Project,” which pairs sports advocacy with environmental action.

Gawilan, who has been a partner in this initiative since 2019, is rallying Toyota dealers nationwide to surpass last year’s environmental milestones.

“I always say the ocean gave me a life,” he said in an earlier interview. “Now, I want to give back.”

In December 2024, he led a similar activity in Samal, Davao del Norte, planting 10,000 mangrove seedlings and collecting 700 bags of trash.

More than carbon offsets

Mangroves are among the most effective carbon sinks on the planet, capable of storing more carbon than many terrestrial forests.

TMP sees these ecosystems as key to both climate mitigation and disaster resilience—protecting coastlines, nurturing fisheries, and providing shelter for biodiversity.

Following the planting, the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines guided volunteers in birdwatching, identifying avian species that hint at the gradual return of wildlife to restored mangrove areas.

Since 2016, TMP and its dealer network have planted over 371,000 trees nationwide, including 120,000 through the NGP.

Launched in 2015, the All Toyota Green Wave Project is part of Toyota Motor Corporation’s Global Environmental Challenge 6: establishing a future society in harmony with nature.

Scope 2 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling consumed by the reporting company, according to the United Nations Office of Sustainable Development.

In a news release, TMP president Masando Hashimoto said the company’s “Beyond Zero” philosophy goes further than carbon neutrality, targeting broader social issues like safety, mobility, and connectivity.

“Achieving zero is no longer enough. We are creating new value—building a future where each move we make is driven by the vision of leaving the world in a better state,” he said.

The achievement is highlighted in TMP’s 11th Sustainability Report, released this week, which outlines the company’s non-financial performance and impact from January to December 2024.

Among TMP’s key accomplishments last year was its full shift to renewable energy for plant operations, coupled with a production expansion that led to a 267% increase in direct new hires.

The company also capped its Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program, having produced over 204,000 Vios units locally from July 2018 to July 2024.

By prioritizing direct employment instead of contractual work, TMP fosters more stable livelihoods and long-term skills development; this approach is considered more sustainable for both workers and the automotive industry.

Local production also reduces the environmental footprint of imported vehicles by cutting transport-related emissions, further aligning with Toyota’s carbon-reduction goals.

The automaker is also investing ₱5.5 billion in a vehicle conversion facility that will support local production of its third model, the Next Generation Tamaraw.

In 2024, TMP recorded a 95% surge in electrified vehicle (xEV) sales, with 17 models across Toyota and Lexus now available in the Philippine market. To further demonstrate its multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality, the company showcased the Corolla Cross H2 Concept vehicle along with hydrogen refueling infrastructure to policymakers and stakeholders.

“All these go to show that hydrogen has potential. Our goal is to reduce CO₂ emissions through various solutions beyond just electrification. Toyota hopes to bring more possibilities for the Philippines too,” said the TMP president.

Despite industry-wide challenges, TMP posted record sales of 215,756 units in 2024, securing its 23rd Triple Crown for leadership in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and overall sales. Revenues climbed to ₱242 billion, up 8% year-on-year.

TMP said it continues to support over 60,000 individuals across its network, offering above-minimum wage to direct employees and ensuring workplace safety, with zero fatalities and eight million safe man-hours logged in 2024.

While not required to publish sustainability reports as a non-listed large corporation, TMP has voluntarily done so for 11 years, aligning with international standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The full report is available at Toyota Sustainability Report. V. Uy

The city government announced the resumption of the Toyota Community Shuttle (TCS) program on August 12, 2025, extending the initiative that first ran from December 2023 to January 2025.

Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines Inc. (TMSPH) continues to be the digital mobility solution provider with a one-year free subscription to the “myTOYOTA Shuttle PH” for optimized route planning and seat booking for passengers, as well as the “Toyota Fleet Connected Service,” which provides vehicle usage and driving behavior data for administrator, Toyota said.

The program utilizes five Toyota Lite Ace units donated by Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) in March 2025. The initiative is part of Toyota’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) push to support local governments with “connected” and “shared” mobility technologies.

City officials and Toyota executives led the relaunch ceremony at Pasay City Hall.

In attendance were Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Vice Mayor Mark Calixto, Councilor Ian Vendivel, TMP Senior Vice President Jhohana Mamonong, TMSPH President Ma. Christina Fe Arevalo, and TMSPH Chief Operating Officer Ryo Yokoyama.

The TCS program aims to improve community mobility while aligning with Pasay’s broader “smart city” development goals.