Toyota Motor PH ups its green game: 1-million-tree goal

By Aries B. Espinosa

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is shifting gears from highways to coastlines with a massive new goal: to plant 1 million trees by 2030.

The company recently kicked off this ambitious “Green Wave” challenge by planting 13,000 mangrove seedlings in Unisan, Quezon. The event brought together Toyota team members, government partners, and local communities, all led by TMP President Masando Hashimoto.

**The swimmer and the cyclist. Gawilan and TMP president Masando Hashimoto, an avid cyclist, share notes about mangrove restoration**

Adding star power to the effort was two-time Paralympic swimmer and Global Team Toyota Athlete Ernie Gawilan. While the tree planting was underway, Gawilan led a simultaneous coastal cleanup, continuing his personal mission for trash-free waters.

**Gawilan, who hails from Samal Island, began his mangrove advocacy with TMP when he became a member of the Global Team Toyota Athletes**

In December 2024, Gawilan spearheaded the same environmental initiative in his hometown in Samal, Davao del Norte, which resulted in over 10,000 mangrove seedlings planted, and 700 bags of wastes collected from the shores.

**Gawilan, with coach Angelo ‘Tony’ Ong (right) and fellow Paralympic swimmer Muhaimin ‘Amin’ Ulag**

Why mangroves matter

These aren’t just any trees. Mangroves are climate superheroes for coastal towns like Unisan. They act as:

o A natural shield: Protecting communities from storm surges.

o A nursery for marine life: Helping local fisheries thrive.

o A carbon sponge: Absorbing huge amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere.

Two mangrove seedlings shown here. Mangroves are ‘climate superheroes’ for coastal towns . Majority of seedlings planted were Avicennia, and some Rhizophora species. Both are prevalent in Quezon Province

**Bird watcher spotted. Biologist Jasmin Meren, who has been into serious bird-watching since 2007, explains the importance of mangroves to numerous bird species**

“The 13,000 mangroves we planted today are part of a much bigger challenge: our one-million-tree commitment,” said Hashimoto. “Our work here in Quezon marks our last stop in the Calabarzon region, but our 1-million-tree challenge continues across the country.”

**TessDrive’s Tessa R. Salazar does her part**

Launched in 2015, the All Toyota Green Wave Project is a global initiative that promotes the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of ecosystems. It is one of the flagship projects addressing the Toyota Global Environmental Challenge 6: Establishing a Future Society in Harmony with Nature.

**This volunteer group planted 1,500 mangrove seedlings in one afternoon**

TMP implements the Green Wave project through upland tree planting, mangrove rehabilitation, and biodiversity conservation. Since 2016, the TMP network has contributed to this effort by planting 142,050 trees nationwide, including 120,000 established under the National Greening Program.

**Since 2016, the TMP network has contributed to this effort by planting 142,050 trees nationwide, including 120,000 established under the National Greening Program**

**TMP Foundation president Jose Maria Aligada (left) and TMP first vice president for corporate affairs Josephine Villanueva (center) help distribute essential items to members of the coastal community**

TMP vice president for marketing services Elvin Luciano (left) explains that the company pledges to expand its climate action efforts by increasing annual targets, adopting new sites nationwide, and engaging volunteers both within and outside the Toyota network, while TMP assistant vice president for environmental management Mark Anthony Marcelo, an environment engineer, explains mangrove ecosystems as a dual solution to climate problems, contributing to both disaster resilience and carbon neutrality

This initiative is part of Toyota’s global goal to create a future that’s more in harmony with nature, proving that the country’s leading mobility company is serious about more than just moving people—it’s about moving forward, sustainably.

Banner image shows volunteer groups, including TMP team members, TMP Foundation officers, Toyota Lucena City, Department of Environment and Natural Resources representatives, local government officials, and members of people’s organizations planting on a short coastal stretch in the 20-hectare Unisan planting site officially adopted by TMP, and marks the final location for the company to cover the Calabarzon region (Region IV-A)