Toyota PH wishes Filipino athletes best of luck in sendoff to Paralympics

MANILA: The members of the Philippine Paralympic team have left for Tokyo. They boarded the 29-seater Coaster that was donated by Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP)  to the Philippine Paralympic Commission (PPC) that took them to the airport for their flight to Japan for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. The bus served as the official transportation of Filipino para-athletes during their training and competitions.

The donation was made as part of Toyota's "Start Your Impossible" program, which advocates for inclusivity and sustainability by providing more opportunities for para-athletes.

The Start Your Impossible Program also aims to raise awareness and appreciation of the potential of people with disabilities.

"Ever since we started, having a bus or van to be used by our officials, coaches, and athletes to move around was one of our top priorities on our 'wish list.' Toyota's donation of a coaster (helped) alleviate one of the most difficult challenges persons with disabilities face day-to-day which is mobility," PPC President Michael Barredo had previously said.

In 2018, TMP chose PPC and Asian Para Games gold medalist Ernie Gawilan to be the beneficiaries of the "Toyota Classics," a benefit concert series that supports charities across Asia. During the Philippine leg of the concert, PPC and Gawilan received P1 million worth of multi-sport wheelchairs and a Toyota Coaster.

"With these various steps towards the vision of mobility for all, TMP and other Toyota units all over the world hope to inspire and encourage members of the community to challenge their limits, celebrate the human spirit, and start their own possible dream," TMP said in a statement.

Toyota is the official worldwide mobility partner of the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee.