TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) continues its environmental conservation campaign as it recently conducted mangrove planting and coastal clean-up activities on its adopted 10-hectare National Greening Program Plantation in Lian, Batangas. Seventy volunteers composed of TMP, Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) – Calaca, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources (MENRO) – Lian, local government unit (LGU) of Lian and Lian Fisherfolk Association, Inc. planted a total of 20,000 mangrove propagules and were able to collect 50 kilograms of garbage from the coastline.
For TMP, planting mangroves is essential as it improves biodiversity, serves as a barrier against storm surges, provides livelihood for the locals and most of all, captures carbon dioxide ten times more than terrestrial trees. The shoreline of Lian is part of the Verde Island Passage, which is the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity in the World.
The mangrove planting and coastal clean-up activities are part of the All-Toyota Green Wave Project, a global environmental initiative which started in 2015. Through this project, Toyota aims to plant 11 million trees worldwide to help preserve the environment for future generations, in line with the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 Challenge no. 6: Establishing a Future Society in Harmony with Nature. TMP, for its part, have planted a total of 36,900 propagules in both coastal and upland areas since the project started.
TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto, who spearheaded the activity, said, “Toyota’s new global vision is producing happiness for all. When we do these activities that bring positive impact to the community, then it makes sense for Toyota to continue our harmony with nature programs. We are sure that a healthy environment brings happiness to all.”