Toyota launches phase 2 of reforestation plan

MANILA, Philippines - Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) yesterday launched the phase two of their ¥350- million reforestation project in Cagayan dubbed as the Philippine Peñablanca Sustainable Reforestation Project (PPSRP).

During yesterday’s memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing between representatives of TMC from Japan, the local government of Cagayan and the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR), Toyota said they will now begin the second phase of their project with a cost of ¥150 million. The second phase will run from August to July 2013.

Started in September 2007, the PPSRP involves the reforestation of the Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape located in the northern province of Cagayan. It is a unique joint undertaking among the Toyota Group, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Peñablanca local government and environmental NGO Conservation International (CI).

The reforestation project at Peñablanca is part of Toyota’s continuing efforts at improving the environment worldwide after Toyota’s reforestation of over 2,500 hectares of land in China’s Hebei Province. In Peñablanca, Toyota hopes to create a system which combines both reforestation and provision of alternative livelihood to local communities.