Toyota Motor Philippines’ (TMP) first “Start Your Impossible” national coastal cleanup and mangrove planting led volunteers to collect 1,200 sacks of beach waste and plant 40,000 mangrove seedlings.
Some 1,900 volunteers spent their weekend collecting wastes washed up on the shores and planted mangrove propagules in 35 locations across the country in Batangas, Bulacan, Rizal, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Ilocos Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Mindoro, Negros Oriental, Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Bukidnon, Davao, Agusan del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Lanao Del Norte, and South Cotabato.
The simultaneous environmental action, in partnership with TMP’s dealership network, NGO, and LGU partners, was led by TMP President Satoru Suzuki who joined the activity in Lian, Batangas on September 21, 2019.
“With each and every volunteer cleaning up the coasts and planting mangrove seedlings, all spread out across 35 locations nationwide, we are indeed starting our impossible, one place at a time. If we continue doing these small acts for our environment, soon our big vision of building sustainable communities will become possible,” said President Satoru Suzuki during the opening program at Lian Mangrove Park
TMP “Start Your Impossible” Ambassador Ernie Gawilan and fellow para-swimming champion Edwin Villanueva joined the Lian action as part of their advocacy for safer and cleaner swimming waters.
“Wag po tayong magsawang tulungan yung mundo natin. Maraming salamat kasi may mga tao pang nagpapahalaga sa kalikasan,” said Ernie Gawilan in the Toyota activity report sent to Good News Pilipinas.
Good News Pilipinas witnessed the Lian event and interviewed officials and Gawilan’s group about their advocacy.
Gawilan, the Asian Para Games gold medalist, shared his message of encouragement to all Filipinos with disabilities to not be discouraged and to go beyond their perceived limitations, even joining causes to protect the environment.
“Gusto ko lang malaman din nila na, basta kaya pa nating gumalaw, may pag-asa pa para makatulong tayo sa komunidad (As long as we can still move, we can still help the community),” Gawilan said.
Toyota’s “Start Your Impossible” initiative is assisting Ernie Gawilan and the Philippine Paralympics Committee (PPC) to prepare the para athletes for the 2020 Paralympic Games. Among the TMP assistance given to the PPC is the donation of a 29-seater coaster for the para-athletes’ mobility and transportation requirements.
Toyota and Ernie Gawilan also conducted a Toyota Swim Swim Clinic earlier in May to encourage aspiring swimmers aged 6 to 14 to pursue their interest in swimming.
SEND encouraging cheers to Toyota and Ernie Gawilan for their “Start Your Impossible” campaign!
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