TMP Foundation: 35 years later, celebrating milestones of corporate social responsibility

Training that leads graduates to good-paying jobs here and abroad. A two-story home in a properly-maintained village community. Regular healthcare services from outreach programs. Modern medical equipment in a community hospital. Digital classrooms in an adopted public school. Environmental initiatives to help keep rivers clean, mangroves healthy, and forests protected.

- BY PINKY CONCHA COLMENARES

These are not on a wish list of a company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, these are the meaningful contributions that make the impact of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) Foundation's programs, built on four pillars—education, healthcare, environment, and community service.

"The overarching philosophy is that we gain our resources from society, so we must give back to society," TMP Foundation President Lito Aligada said, defining their purpose. That philosophy that guides the number one automotive company in the Philippines is the vision of Dr. George S.K. Ty, founder of a group of companies which includes TMP.

TMP Foundation's programs are well-structured, each designed to lead communities—and its residents—to better lives. As TMP Foundation celebrates its 35th anniversary this month of July, Mr. Aligada paused from his busy workday to tell us the many stories that have made the organization truly a Foundation that espouses CSR.

Education

"The pillar that has made the most impact on the community is education," Mr. Aligada said.

"Any improvement in skills and knowledge is for life. At TMP Tech, students graduate with a certification that allows them to be employed in a very good paying job here or in another country. From that, they help their families," Mr. Aligada said.

Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology or TMP Tech, a world-class automotive technical institution in Santa Rosa City, Laguna established in 2013, has graduated more than 2,000 students, each with a success story of transformed lives. One of them—Romel Pajarito—whose life has inspired many, now works in Australia. He has expressed gratitude for the Toyota training which got him his job there.