A journey of giving

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) Foundation just marked its 35th year, and instead of simply looking back, it’s putting wheels on its plans, quite literally.

Held at the Grand Hyatt Manila on 25 July, the anniversary celebration was a gathering of long-time partners, advocates, and new collaborators, all there to witness how the Foundation is changing gears for the road ahead. The night saw the introduction of “Mobility+,” a new advocacy pillar that reflects Toyota’s belief in using movement, of people, resources, and ideas, as a force for good. The event also saw the signing of a new partnership that aims to bring basic healthcare services directly to communities through mobile clinics.

What started back in 1990 as a small outreach effort in Bicutan has since grown into a nationwide social mission. TMP Foundation chair Alfred Ty acknowledged that the journey was not always easy, but it was always guided by the same belief passed down by his father, Dr. George S.K. Ty, that if you take from society, you must give back to it.

“Over the past decades, we have witnessed how TMP’s growth has been tied to the communities we serve,” Ty shared in his speech. “This Foundation was born from a desire not just to sell cars, but to make life better for Filipinos.”

So far, the Foundation has poured P800 million into education, healthcare, the environment, and community service, its four original pillars. From scholarships to tree planting, from medical missions to disaster relief, the Foundation has made its presence felt in places far beyond its Santa Rosa base.

“Mobility+” is the Foundation’s fifth and newest pillar. It sounds abstract at first, but its premise is simple. Sometimes, getting to the right place at the right time is what makes the biggest difference.

Ty said, “It’s not just about cars or roads. It’s about the mobility of people, of goods, of information, and even ideas. Because when these things move efficiently, lives improve.”

This new direction doesn’t erase the four original pillars. Instead, it enhances them. For instance, a scholarship is more effective if the student has a safe ride to school. A clinic matters more if it can reach the patient.

And that’s exactly what their next big project is about.

As part of its “Mobility+” initiative, TMP Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with Toyota Mobility Foundation (based in Japan) and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). The collaboration is called HEAL, short for “Healthcare Mobility for All.”

In essence, it’s healthcare on wheels.

The plan is to roll out two mobile clinics, converted from Toyota Coaster vehicles, and send them to underserved areas in Cavite. These clinics will come with essential diagnostic equipment and will be connected to PGH’s online systems, allowing patients to book consultations and get care without making long, difficult trips to Manila.

For the healthcare workers themselves, especially those on early or late shifts at PGH, the Foundation will deploy three Tamaraw UV-based shuttles. These rides aim to offer a safer and more reliable alternative to commuting via multiple public vehicles at odd hours.

“Mobility equals opportunity,” Susumu Matsuda, deputy chairman of Toyota Mobility Foundation, said. “When you connect people to care at the time and place they need it most, you’re not just solving transport problems, you’re saving lives.”

While the HEAL Project addresses healthcare gaps, it also serves as a testing ground for the larger idea of mobility-based solutions. The goal is to prove that getting people or services in smarter, safer ways can help address all sorts of inequalities, not just in health, but in education, work and daily living.

This belief is already seen in the Foundation’s existing programs. Over 1,200 scholars have gone through its Automotive Education Program since 1990, many now working in the Toyota network both here and abroad. The GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center continues to support academic communities, while the Foundation’s involvement in reforestation efforts and botanical garden upkeep reminds us that environmental care is part of social progress, too.

We should also not forget TMP Foundation’s direct community work, such as the Gawad Kalinga village in Santa Rosa that shelters 160 families, the 101,000 patients reached through medical missions, and the countless meals and aid packs distributed after every calamity.

Looking ahead, Ty says the Foundation is gearing up to do more. Beyond adding Mobility+ to its mission, the organization is investing in partnerships with schools, cultural centers, and service providers. There’s also support for food security programs and continued efforts in environmental sustainability.

“We’re not here to do the bare minimum,” Ty said. “We’re here to be part of real change.”

And that real change starts with access, access to healthcare, to education, to opportunity. With mobility at the center of its plans, the TMP Foundation is hoping to bring that access closer to more Filipinos, no matter where they live or what time they check in for work.

As Toyota Foundation turns 35, its journey reminds us that progress is also about kindness, connection and care. For the countless lives it has touched and the many more it will continue to uplift, the Foundation stands as a quiet but powerful force of good. Here’s to the road ahead, one filled with more hope and more compassion for Filipino communities. Maraming salamat, Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation, for being a steady hand in motion and a heart on the road.