THE PHILIPPINE government on Tuesday received a donation of 35 brand new cars from Toyota Motors Philippines Corp. (TMP), as the vehicle sales and production company marked its 35th anniversary in the country.
The donation was made up of 10 Hi-Ace ambulances, two Coaster mobile clinics, three Yaris cars, and five each of Toyota vehicle models Vios, Innova, Lite Ace Pickup, and Lite Ace Cargo.
In his speech at the Toyota manufacturing plant in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. recognized the company’s “contributions” to the country, especially in terms of employment.
“Our Filipino employees who have come to work with Toyota have been very highly trained and are also extremely steeped in the Japanese culture of production, which is very important because they have shown themselves to be one of the most if not the most efficient when it comes to manufacturing and high volume production of products,” he said.
As of last December, 3,742 workers were employed in TMP and about 71,000 others were affiliated with its suppliers and dealers.
“We have always seen Toyota as being an important partner in everything, in our development in the Philippines,” said Mr. Marcos, who toured the manufacturing plant with visiting Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan) Chairman Akio Toyoda.
Annually, the company has been producing about 54,000 of its Vios and Innova units in the country and since it started its operations in 2000, Toyota has invested about P73.7 billion.
In a statement, TMP Chairman Alfred V. Ty said that with more conducive government policies, the company and other local part-makers “can expand and do so much more in our country to help generate more jobs for Filipinos.”
“We request your continued support to the auto industry, not only for vehicle manufacturing but to the entire supply chain, especially our domestic parts supplier,” said Mr. Ty. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
