Honda launches tree planting program in Laguna

MANILA: Honda Foundation Incorporated (HFI) — the Japanese car and motorcycle brand’s corporate social responsibility arm — has launched a tree planting and livelihood program in Siniloan, Laguna.

Per HFI, it has established a five-year program to adopt some 28 hectares of the Sierra Madre Mountains under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) National Greening Program as part of the aforementioned initiative.

HFI noted that the reforestation effort involves planting around 14,000 fruit-bearing trees in the area.

Additionally, HFI formalized a partnership through a memorandum of agreement with DENR Region IV-A and the Magsaysay Coconut Farmers Association (MACOFA).

The company also joined the country in the celebration of Arbor Day, a day dedicated to tree planting that is undertaken as an annual event in the Philippines during the month of June.

As of June 21, more than 2,000 trees have been planted.

Present in the event were HFI Board of Trustees led by HFI President and concurrent President of Honda Parts Manufacturing Corporation Seiji Fujimoto, Honda Philippines Incorporated President Sayaka Arai, Honda Cars Philippines Incorporated (HCPI) President Rie Miyake, and Honda Trading Philippines Ecozone Corporation President Tomoyuki Mabuchi.

Also in attendance were Mayor Patrick Ellis Go and the community of Siniloan Municipality.

Some 100 volunteers participated in the tree planting activity, which included Honda employees and support team members, personnel from the Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), the Philippine National Police, and farmers from MACOFA.

To note, HCPI is involved in the ACRE Movement, a similar initiative conducted with the help of ACMobility. The Ayala-led mobility group has added BYD Cars Philippines into the said program wherein it will plant one tree per one BYD electric car sold.

River cleanup, TESDA partnership

As Honda continues to move towards its advocacy of protecting the environment, it struck a collaboration with DENR-CENRO Sta. Cruz and the municipality of Siniloan for a river cleanup activity in Barangay Mactad.

The said activity saw a total of 240 kilograms (kg) of waste collected from Siniloan River, including 75 kg of biodegradable waste, 150 kg of non-biodegradable waste, and 15 kg of residual waste.

“Siniloan River is one of the 21 tributaries of Laguna de Bay that is regularly monitored by the Laguna Lake Development Authority. The cleanup site serves as a take off point to various waterfalls and is a popular destination among mountaineers and for recreational activities. The area is currently being developed into an ecotourism site. For these reasons, Honda recognized Siniloan River as an excellent venue choice for a cleanup drive, promoting the conservation of the river and sustaining the well-being of local residents, tourists, and visitors in Siniloan,” the company wrote in a statement.

Further, HFI also partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Training Center in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The said partnership saw the establishment of the TESDA Honda Room — an exclusive motorcycle and automotive learning laboratory.

Through the TESDA Honda Room, instructors and trainees will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and know-how in Honda technology, allowing them to access quality education and employment opportunities.

“This initiative aims to uplift the lives of the Filipino workforce and improve the financial status of impoverished youth and their families. In the future, Honda aims to utilize this facility as a TESDA Training and Assessment Center venue, streamlining the process of certifying learners in motorcycle and automotive courses,” it said in a press statement.

Relatedly, the local wing of the Japanese marque donated six motorcycles and two automobiles along with lifters, special tools, and classroom furnishings to TESDA.

Also read:

Inaugural Honda Road Safety Summit part of global effort to minimize traffic-related fatalities

Reactivated ‘Honda Helps’ program extends hand to ‘Carina’-affected customers

Honda bags Red Dot: Best of the Best 2024 honors with Cybertruck-like sedan