Toyota Motor PH holds ‘Start Your Impossible’ coastal cleanup and mangrove planting

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is not all about its cars or being the largest automotive company in the country. The company is also taking care of the environment and it’s not only through its low-emission hybrid vehicle lineup.

The Japanese automaker recently held its Start Your Impossible National Coastal Cleanup and Mangrove Planting Day in collaboration with Filipino Paralympic Swimmer Ernie Gawilan, and was held last December 14, 2024 across 33 locations around the country.

A total of 1,302 volunteers participated in the event, including employees of TMP and the brand’s dealer network, together with local government units and environment offices. According to TMP, activity highlights the importance of preserving the marine ecosystem and combating the pressing issue of coastal pollution.

In the coastal cleanup, 789 bags of plastic waste and debris were collected. Alongside that, 10,354 mangrove seedlings were planted, helping in the restoration of the country’s critical mangrove forests in coastal communities.

As mentioned, the activity was in collaboration with Ernie Gawilan, an Asian Para Games gold medalist and a Davaeño. He participated in the event’s activities at the Island Garden City of Samal which he says he holds dear to him as it is the place that shaped him to become the athlete that he is today.

“I am grateful to the Toyota family for helping me with the tree planting and the coastal cleanup today,” said Gawilan during his speech in Tagalog. “I hope I have inspired many, and let us work together to preserve our environment, especially the ocean, because this is where I started,” he added.