BLUE SKIES FOR OUR CHILDREN : Launch of the Tree Planting and Livelihood program

SINILOAN, LAGUNA – the Honda Foundation, Inc. (HFI) achieved another milestone, demonstrating its commitment to environmental preservation and community well-being through Honda’s Tree Planting and Livelihood program in Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna. As part of this initiative, Honda has established a 5-year Tree Planting and Livelihood program, adopting 28 hectares of the Sierra Madre Mountains under the DENR’s National Greening Program. The reforestation efforts involve planting 14,000 fruit-bearing trees. Additionally, Honda formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement signed on March 12, 2024, collaborating with the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) Region IV-A and the Magsaysay Coconut Farmers Association (MACOFA)

Furthermore, Honda joins the country in the celebration of Arbor Day, a day dedicated to tree planting that is undertaken as annual event in the Philippines during the month of June.

Present at the event were the HFI Board of Trustees led by the HFI President and concurrent president of Honda Parts Manufacturing Corp. (HPMC) Mr. Seiji Fujimoto; Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) President Ms. Sayaka Arai; Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) President Ms. Rie Miyake; and Honda Trading Philippines Ecozone, Corp. (HTPE) President Mr. Tomoyuki Mabuchi. The event also received strong support from Mayor Patrick Ellis Go and the community of Siniloan municipality.

The tree planting activity was participated by around 100 volunteers, including Honda employees & support team members, personnel from the Municipal Environment & Natural Resources Office (MENRO), Community Environment & Natural Resources (CENRO), Philippine National Police (PNP) and farmers from MACOFA. As of June 21, 2024, more than 2,000 trees have been planted.

Fostering Clean River for the Community

Earlier this year, as Honda continues to move towards its advocacy of protecting the environment, a collaboration with the DENR-CENRO Sta. Cruz and the Municipality of Siniloan, Laguna led to a river cleanup activity in Barangay Macatad, Siniloan, Laguna. Joining the World Water Day celebration on March 22, 2024, these collaborative efforts played a significant role in inspiring and creating awareness in the community about the importance of preserving the environment and fresh water for families. A total of 240 kg of waste was collected during the event, 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 clean-up 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 clean-up drive, promoting the conservation of the river and sustaining the well-being of local residents, tourists, and visitors in Siniloan.

Also recently, the Honda Foundation, Inc. (HFI), in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Training Center – NCR launched a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program called TESDA RTC NCR – HONDA ROOM in TESDA center located in Taguig City.

The TESDA – HONDA ROOM is exclusively used for HONDA motorcycle and automotive learning laboratories. It equips instructors and trainees with the necessary knowledge and know-how in HONDA technology, enabling them to achieve the goal of providing access to 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.

On March 20, 2024, TESDA and HONDA signed a memorandum of agreement to formalize their partnership and commitment. Their joint endeavor aims to sustain the offering of motorcycle and automotive mechanical courses, with a maximum of 25 learners per training batch. HONDA generously donated six (6) motorcycle units and two (2) automobile vehicles, along with lifters, special tools, and classroom furnishings.

HFI is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Honda companies in the Philippines, comprising of Honda Philippines, Inc. (manufacturer/distributor of motorcycles and power products), Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (automobile products), Honda Parts Manufacturing, Inc. (manufacturer/ exporter) and Honda Trading Philippines Ecozone Corporation (storage/ warehousing).

HFI was established and registered as non-stock, non-profit organization on December 23, 1992; since then, HFI is One with the Community in its advocacies of Protecting the Environment, Supporting the Youth for the Future, Addressing Community Needs and Promoting Traffic Safety. Honda will aspire to become “a company that society wants to exist,” and will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, by serving people worldwide with the joy of expanding the people’s life potential through its social contribution initiatives. (PR)