TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) on Friday pledged P5 million to the government to support relief efforts for victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).
This was announced during the TMP’s presentation of the next generation of the iconic Tamaraw and the hydrogen-powered Toyota Corolla Cross H2 in Malacañang.
“We deeply sympathize with every Filipino affected by typhoon Kristine and hope for their quick recovery,” Toyota Asia Region Chief Executive Officer Masahiko Maeda in a message.
TMP corporate communications Lead Mon Umali said they would also donate next generation Tamaraw units to the Office of the President for conversion into ambulances. These will be turned over next year.
“President Marcos received a letter of intent from TMP for its planned donation of five Tamaraw units, which will be converted and turned over to the government in 2025,” TMP said in a statement.
“These include five ambulances which will be used to support various mobility needs of specific people-focused programs under the Office of the President,” it added.
In his speech during the event, Marcos said that with the Corolla Cross H2, Toyota had provided “a glimpse of new benchmarks for a greener and more innovative automotive industry.”
He said that it was important for the automaker to continue working on the technology to bring it “down to the grassroots level, not only in the Philippines but around the world.”
“We will certainly support that as it brings us to a newer and greener transport system,” he added.
“With the use of hydrogen technology in vehicle electrification, we are presented with sustainable transport solutions that intensify our call for environmental stewardship.”
Marcos said that embracing this responsibility had become even more urgent as “we confront the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, exacerbated by our position in the typhoon belt.”
“Severe tropical storm Kristine has now impacted our nation — particularly up here in Luzon — through relentless rains and flooding, and this underscores, once again, to … every single Filipino the importance of adaptability and of preparedness,” he noted.
“So, as we strive towards a carbon-neutral future, we are dedicated to implementing more inclusive, adaptable and technologically-driven strategies for emissions reduction across all sectors and all industries.”
The President said that the new Tamaraw — a brand known in the Philippines for decades — also had a role.
“Now, we have the new Tamaraw which has again been redesigned for the modern environment … with all of the new technologies that Toyota has developed, incorporated into a design that is specifically made for the Philippine condition,” he added.
Marcos said the Tamaraw was “synonymous with reliability” as it is a vehicle that has transported many Filipinos and also served as a dependable partner for entrepreneurs and drivers.
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