Isuzu Philippines Corporation marks 12th anniversary with "rainforestation" project

MANILA, Philippines - Just as it had done since 2003, Isuzu Philippines Corp. celebrated its 12th inaugural anniversary this year by taking part in an environmental project. On Sept. 3, IPC officially joined hands with Haribon Foundation in its “Road to 2020” campaign, which aims to restore one million hectares of the country’s rainforests by the year 2020. IPC made its pledge as part of its yearly corporate social responsibility campaign that annually commemorates its inauguration.

Haribon and IPC will work with the National Power Corporation – the government agency in charge of the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed – on this “rainforestation” project. The ecologically minded partners intend to achieve their goal by planting native tree species in order to “recover and conserve biodiversity, optimize forest benefits and ecosystem services, reduce risks of natural hazards, and enhance options for sustainable livelihood.”

Under this partnership, IPC is donating 5,000 native tree species to various rainforests in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The project was officially commenced in Caliraya, where 3,000 seedlings were planted by Isuzu and Haribon. In October, IPC will plant the remaining seedlings in Cebu in the Visayas and in Surigao in Mindanao. In honor of IPC’s 12th anniversary, a dozen native tree species were handpicked for this project, including narra, igyo, marang, bitaog, batino, alibangbang, makaasim, dao, kamagong, lipote, butong and yakal.

According to Haribon Foundation, “a rainforested area can provide ecological benefits that are linked to human survival. Rainforestation also provides economic benefits.” IPC President Keiji Takeda, in his speech, said that his company shares in this vision, underscoring the reality that “all of us – whether we’re in the business, private or non-government sector – need to act now if we are to save our planet and its natural resources.”

The three watersheds that will benefit from this project are sources of electricity and agricultural irrigation, which means they are very vital to our social survival. Aside from the native tree species, IPC also donated environmental markers with eco-friendly messages for the public to read.

Since 2003, IPC has been celebrating its anniversary with environmental activities. In that year, the company donated a river garbage trap to Santa Rosa, Laguna, as well as 10,000 tilapia fingerlings to Laguna Lake. In 2004, it donated a two-classroom building to Biñan National High School. Next, in 2005, IPC helped create a manmade forest strip in Antimonan, Quezon, by donating 15,000 Narra seedlings.

In 2006, IPC planted mangroves in Pangasinan to contribute to the protection of a five-hectare mangrove area on the Hundred Islands. The automaker also donated environmental signs in the area, while also planting 500 flowering trees on the National Highway near Alaminos. In 2007, the company held a nationwide park conservation campaign by donating flowering plants, vicinity maps with environmental messages, and waste receptacles to Rizal Park in Metro Manila, to Osmeña Park in Cebu, and to People’s Park in Davao. And last year, IPC supported the Save the La Mesa Watershed Project thru maintenance of 11 hectares of trees.

Isuzu Philippines Corp., the authorized assembler and distributor of Isuzu vehicles in the country, formally inaugurated its assembly plant in Biñan, Laguna, in 1997, with then President Fidel V. Ramos as guest of honor. Its current product line includes the Crosswind AUV, the D-MAX pickup, the Alterra SUV and various light- to heavy-duty trucks and buses.

In Metro Manila, Isuzu dealerships can be found in EDSA Balintawak, Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth, Pasig, Manila, Makati and Alabang. In the provinces, Isuzu dealerships are located in Isabela, Pangasinan, Cabanatuan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, San Pablo, Bacolod, Iloilo, Mandaue, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.