Toyota PH successfully holds National Coastal Cleanup & Mangrove Planting Day
Toyota PH, Ernie Gawilan lead 'Start Your Impossible' for cleaner waters and safer coasts
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) recently lent a helping hand to Mother Nature to clean up the country's coasts and ensure there are plenty of mangroves to protect the coastline.
TMP, in collaboration with Paralympic swimmer Ernie Gawilan successfully concluded the “Start Your Impossible” National Coastal Cleanup and Mangrove Planting Day, held last December 14, 2024. The event, held in 33 locations across the Philippines, aimed to inspire communities to protect marine ecosystems and tackle coastal pollution, supporting Gawilan’s social commitment as a Global Team Toyota Athlete (GTTA).
On the left: Ernie Gawilan personally planting mangrove seedlings on Samal Island, Davao
The event brought together 1,302 volunteers from Toyota Motor Philippines and the Toyota dealer network. Guided by the local government unit and environment offices—highlighted the importance of preserving the marine ecosystem and combating the pressing issue of coastal pollution.
The group of volunteers collected 789 bags of plastic waste and debris. Alongside the cleanup efforts, 10,354 mangrove seedlings were planted, further contributing to the restoration of critical mangrove forests in various coastal communities.
As mentioned earlier, Ernie Gawilan, an Asian Para Games gold medalist and a proud Davaoeño, played an instrumental role in rallying the community for a cleaner future. This event holds dear to him, as Samal Island is the place that shaped him to become the athlete that he is today. Gawilan himself personally helped plant several mangroves on Samal Island.
This activity is part of Ernie’s project under Toyota’s global “Start Your Impossible” program which empowers athletes not only to pursue sports excellence but also to become advocates for social good. For Gawilan, championing cleaner waters and driving environmental awareness have become central to his mission of creating meaningful change beyond sports.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Toyota family sa pagtulong sa akin sa pagtatanim at coastal cleanup ngayong araw. Sana marami akong na-inspire, at pagtulungan natin na ma-preserve ang kalikasan natin, lalo na ang dagat, kasi dito po ako nagsimula,” said Gawilan.
Ernie Gawilan holding a speech during the coastal cleanup and mangrove planting activities
[I am grateful to the Toyota family for helping me with the tree planting and the coastal cleanup today. I hope I have inspired many, and let us work together to preserve our environment, especially the ocean because this is where I started]
Aside from TMP and Gawilan, the next-generation Toyota Tamaraw also helped in the coastal cleanup efforts. Not only did the all-new workhorse bring plenty of mangrove seedlings to Samal Island, but the Tamaraw also hauled plenty of collected trash.
“Ernie is a dual hero, we have also been working alongside him in championing cleaner waters through various cleanup and planting projects. This advocacy was chosen personally by Ernie as a way to give back to the communities that supported him toward his dreams,” said Elijah Marcial, TMP vice president for Network Sales & Systems Cluster.
“All of us who work for Toyota are very proud that Toyota has always worked with stakeholders and communities to give back and to Inspire. “Today, we are here to continue on Toyota’s Environmental efforts together with a truly remarkable and inspiring guest of honor,” said Denise Lim, Toyota Davao Inc. president.
