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The Ty-led Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) Foundation has officially adopted a mangrove reforestation site under the National Greening Program (NGP) in the coastal municipality of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. This initiative aims to strengthen environmental stewardship among local stakeholders, improve community livelihoods, and bolster climate resilience.
This environmental effort is part of TMP Foundation’s ambitious commitment to nurture 1 million trees by 2030, a goal announced by Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) and TMP Foundation Chairman Alfred V. Ty during the Foundation’s 35th anniversary celebration in July.
Community-Driven Reforestation Activity
To commemorate the adoption of the NGP site, TMP Foundation mobilized approximately 110 volunteers from the TMP network, Mariano Marcos State University, College of Industrial Technology (MMSU-CIT), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Bangui (DENR-CENRO Bangui), the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), and residents from Barangay Davila. Together, they planted a total of 1,750 mangrove seedlings, marking a significant step towards restoring the coastal ecosystem.
The activity culminated in the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the Pasuquin municipal government, MMSU, and TMP Foundation. This partnership formalizes a two-year coastal forest conservation project targeting the planting of 3,500 native mangrove seedlings—specifically Lapis-lapis and Arinaya, across two hectares of land.
Empowering Communities and Protecting Ecosystems
Jose Maria Aligada, President of TMP Foundation, gives this message.
“On behalf of Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation and our Chairman, Mr. Alfred V. Ty, I am honored to stand here as we celebrate not only the signing of this MOA but also our enduring partnership with MMSU-CIT—spanning technical education, scholarships, faculty development, and environmental efforts. Today, planting mangroves along the Davila Coastal Reef reminded us of the power of collective action.
This initiative is part of our global ‘All Toyota GreenWave Project,’ which aims to plant one million trees by 2030. In the Philippines, TMP Foundation is proud to contribute by supporting projects that strengthen local ecosystems and community resilience. Our Coastal Forest Conservation Project in Pasuquin exemplifies this commitment. Together with MMSU, DENR, and LGUs, we aim to restore native mangroves, rehabilitate coastal systems, and build stronger natural defenses against climate impacts.
Today, we formally adopted the two-hectare coastal reef area in Barangay Davila. Over the next two years, we commit to planting 3,500 mangrove seedlings—a symbolic milestone celebrating our 35th anniversary and our hope for a greener future.
This MOA is more than a document; it’s a shared promise. It affirms Toyota’s dedication to working closely with government, academe, and communities to protect and nurture our natural ecosystems—ensuring these vital habitats thrive for generations to come.”
Restoring Degraded Coastal Ecosystems
The NGP site features a mangrove forest that has suffered degradation over time due to human activities, resulting in the loss of crucial habitat for marine life and threats to local livelihoods. According to DENR-CENRO Bangui, mangrove planting is vital for disaster risk reduction, coastal protection, and supporting marine biodiversity—all essential for sustainable fisheries.
Furthermore, mangroves are powerful carbon sinks, absorbing significant amounts of CO? and contributing to climate change mitigation efforts. Through this project, TMP Foundation aims to bolster the community’s natural defenses against climate impacts, restore biodiversity, and generate additional income streams for residents.
In support of this, the Foundation will provide monthly financial compensation to members of organized People’s Organizations (POs) involved in mangrove monitoring and maintenance.
Expanding the ‘Green Wave’ Initiative
Building on its commitment to environmental sustainability, TMP Foundation is expanding the reach of the ‘All Toyota Green Wave Project’ beyond CALABARZON, where it has already adopted 228 hectares of NGP sites. The Foundation’s mission aligns with Toyota’s goal of planting one million trees by 2030, driven by the ‘Green Wave’ campaign that mobilizes both external partners and internal Toyota networks through volunteerism.
Under its ‘Environment’ advocacy pillar, TMP Foundation also spearheads initiatives in environmental education, biodiversity conservation (including the Tamaraw on Mindoro Island), and aquatic ecosystem preservation.
Launched by Toyota Motor Corporation in 2015, the Green Wave Project is a global movement dedicated to protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing ecosystems. It is part of Toyota’s ‘Challenge 6’ under the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, which envisions a future society in harmony with nature.