The strength of a nation lies in its people – one reason a country needs an accessible and resilient health system to better care for this greatest resource. A post from the social media platform “Threads,” “Filipinos are one hospitalization away from poverty,” recently sparked conversations on the current healthcare landscape of the Philippines. The discussion on the platform highlighted that even middle-class Filipinos who have saved enough for inevitable health emergencies may still face bankruptcy when their health is at risk.

As much as the country strives to improve the economy, it is also important to include healthcare as a major development priority through policy reforms, investment in the healthcare industry, and recognizing that a good healthcare system indicates a progressive country and a developed economy.

The Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) Foundation has seen this significant issue and understands its importance, hence making health one of its pillars that guides their efforts in contributing to the welfare of the communities they serve. TMP Foundation has been continuously supporting communities through various healthcare programs that improve lives, uplift well-being and contribute to nation-building. These programs are not only designed to address the needs of the people but are also aligned with the vision of TMP Foundation’s partners — schools, Local Government Units (LGUs), and institutions — that share the same goal.

One of its community beneficiaries is the city of Santa Rosa in Laguna, where the Toyota Motor Philippines manufacturing plant is located. TMP Foundation has partnered with the local government of Santa Rosa City, to provide relevant health projects that are efficient and effective, and directly impact the lives of the target beneficiaries, especially the marginalized sector of the community. The Foundation has made sure that the health programs conducted in the communities address the actual needs of the beneficiaries by reaching out to LGUs and conducting regular assessments.

“The first thing we do is we make a prior consultation with the mayor. Then, the mayor will coordinate with their team — the city health office, the barangay health workers, and even purok (zone) leaders — so that they can identify and recommend which barangay will be the target beneficiary. Usually, these are the underserved who have very limited access to healthcare,” TMP Foundation Deputy Head for Health Sector Dr. Virgilio Cruz, who personally witnessed the health struggles of the community, explained how they decide which communities to focus on.

Addressing the communities’ medical needs

With TMP Foundation’s willingness to serve, they have not only answered to the needs of the people in the community but also contributed to the quality of life of the residents. Through an assessment, TMP Foundation and the Santa Rosa LGU worked hand-in-hand to address the healthcare issues in the city, such as the need for enough medical equipment and supplies.

TMP Foundation Head for Health Sector Dr. Laennec C. Baquiran also emphasized that the Foundation and the LGU have worked closely together to respond to the need for medical apparatus. “TMP Foundation came up with donations of medical equipment in the form of dialysis machines, beds, heart monitors, BP apparatus, and other hospital equipment to augment capabilities, and to address the expanding needs of patients in Santa Rosa Community Hospital,” he added.

This initiative has largely enhanced the healthcare delivery of Santa Rosa Community Hospital (SRCH) and they have seen several changes in the day-to-day operations, including improved patient flow, increased efficiency in the use of resources, and promoted better team dynamics that also led to better patient care. Dr. Parnell Patacsil, director of Santa Rosa Community Hospital also shared in an interview that the partnership with TMP Foundation and the hospital can be seen as a significant development in the future of healthcare for several reasons. He mentioned, “It can create a model for collaboration between a private organization and a hospital. The partnership between SRCH and TMP Foundation has the potential to significantly enhance healthcare delivery, improve community health outcomes, and foster innovation in the healthcare sector.”

Beyond the medical necessities, TMP Foundation also saw the importance of health maintenance and early detection of illness and diseases. Its pioneer health initiative, Medical and Dental Outreach Program (MDOP), started in 1992 in partnership with Makati Medical Center (MMC) and served more than 100,000 beneficiaries in Santa Rosa, Taguig, and Parañaque cities until 2016. The program provided multi-services like general medicine, surgery, ob-gyn, pediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, and ENT consultations. It was also accompanied by the provision of on-site mobile X-ray, ultrasound, and other laboratory examinations.

When health services being provided by the local government improved and LGUs became more self-sufficient, the TMP Foundation shifted its initiatives to surgical tertiary care — the Medical-Surgical Outreach Program (MSOP). This initiative, also in partnership with MMC, started in 2018 with the mission to serve those in need of immediate outpatient surgical services like breast mass excision, herniorrhaphy, thyroidectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, and other surgical cases, including giant lipoma removal and cholecystectomy.

“The main goal is to be able to create and drive sustainable activities that promote a healthy community. This can be pursued in active partnership with the institutional partners who share the same goals with the foundation,” Dr. Cruz added.

The foundation’s decision to shift its focus to surgical tertiary care demonstrates its unwavering commitment to delivering impactful health projects tailored to meet the needs of its beneficiaries, particularly in underserved communities.

“TMP Foundation knows what we need here, and they know the plans for the city. They know that these are the necessities and the services that should be given to the people. And we’re very fortunate that they’re here and that they do their part in taking care of Santa Rosa,” shared Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas on how TMP Foundation’s initiatives align with the city’s vision in terms of public health.

The Foundation extended the provision of accessible healthcare to its adopted school, the Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School (PSCES), which believes that poor knowledge of health and access to health care can put educational attainment at risk.

TMP Foundation continuously cares for the health and welfare of PSCES faculty and staff by sponsoring their Annual Physical Exam (APE) which include services such as comprehensive check up, blood test, urine test, chest X-ray, blood uric acid, physical examination and ECG test. In 2024, TMP Foundation sponsored the APE of more than 100 teachers and staff of PSCES.

The principal of PSCES, Mr. Ronaldo G. Cambell, JD , explained the importance of prioritizing the teachers and staff’s health to ensure a productive learning environment. “The APE provided by the TMP Foundation answers many problems in the school related to the teachers’ attendance. It also made the teachers understand their physical health, and in that sense, they can teach well, avoid absences. Knowing that their health is being taken care of makes them more effective in performing their duties. I believe healthy teachers are empowered teachers. When they are healthy, they can teach well, they can love more, and work better with the stakeholders because they are healthy,” he stated.

From the donation of medical equipment and supplies to closing the gaps in accessible healthcare, TMP Foundation’s projects and programs go beyond the number of people they have served. More than 100,000 beneficiaries have been positively impacted by the various health initiatives of TMP Foundation since 1992, and the number continues to grow as they remain committed to providing healthcare programs that are relevant to the needs of the communities.

Over the years, TMP Foundation has continuously contributed to Santa Rosa City’s economy through its most important resource — the people. Mayor Arcillas highlighted the importance of the city’s human resources, stating, “TMP Foundation helped us to bring the medical services closer to the people. The partnership started because we have the same mission. The City of Santa Rosa, Toyota Motor Philippines, the company, and TMP Foundation have the same mission: to be able to give the fundamental right to the people of the City of Santa Rosa. They know that the biggest resource of the city is human resource, and what we do with the most important resource of the city is we take care of them.”

Their mission in empowering communities through accessible and available healthcare has been evident in the successful programs and initiatives not only in the city of Santa Rosa, but also in other beneficiary communities. TMP Foundation upholds its commitment to drive continuous positive change for its stakeholders, one step at a time, through different Corporate Social Responsibility projects. Moreover, the Foundation constantly honors its founder, Dr. George S. K. Ty, and his philosophy, which is rooted in giving back to the communities that sustain its operations, as evident in its successful programs.

Along with that, the Foundation recognizes that this goal will not be made possible without the support of their partner organizations and institutions that share the same vision as TMP Foundation, like the Makati Medical Center and the local government units. Collaborations with stakeholders that share the same belief and purpose enable the Foundation to provide more initiatives that last and create ripples of empowering impact.