Tamaraws for Tamaraws: Toyota rolls out support for Mindoro wildlife defenders
In photo (from left) are TMP President Masando Hashimoto and DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga during the turnover of Toyota Tamaraw UV and Bantay Tamaraw Kits
Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Philippines
Tamaraw conservation efforts in Mindoro received a significant boost after Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF) donated a new utility vehicle and essential gear to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as part of its ongoing support for the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP).
In a ceremonial turnover on 7 April at the DENR Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City, TMPF handed over a brand-new Tamaraw Utility Van and P500,000 worth of “Bantay Tamaraw Kits” to aid forest rangers in their mission to protect the critically endangered Tamaraw species in Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park.
Leading the event were DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) President Masando Hashimoto, and TMPF President Jose Maria Aligada. The donations are part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in December 2024, in conjunction with the launch of the Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw.
The vehicle — a long wheelbase variant — is intended to support the mobility needs of TCP personnel and the “Bantay Tamaraw Rangers” who patrol the remote mountainous terrain of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro. The rangers, composed of volunteer Indigenous People and barangay residents, are instrumental in protecting the Tamaraw and its habitat.
Alongside the vehicle, the donation included full gear kits containing mountaineering equipment and tools for all 18 registered rangers.
“We salute you for risking yourself on the ground to protect our Tamaraws,” said Hashimoto in his message to the rangers. “Now, it is your turn to be protected too — from the harsh mountain conditions and various dangers of trekking and camping for weeks in the wilds.”
The initiative aligns with Toyota’s global Environmental Challenge 2050, particularly its commitment to “Establishing a Society in Harmony with Nature.” TMP has partnered with DENR on a range of environmental projects, including forest and marine conservation, and now biodiversity preservation through the TCP.
Beyond the in-kind donations, TMPF pledged a P3-million conservation fund to further support research, monitoring, and education efforts, as well as community programs for Indigenous People and local volunteers.
TMPF, established 35 years ago, serves as the corporate social responsibility arm of Toyota Philippines, with programs focused on health, education, environment, and community service.
