December 11, 2024 — The Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF), the social and humanitarian arm of Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP), has partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to support the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP). Through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), both parties aim to strengthen efforts to preserve the critically endangered Tamaraw and its natural habitat.
As part of the agreement, TMPF will donate a brand-new Tamaraw vehicle and provide PHP 500,000 worth of “Bantay Tamaraw” kits, including essential gear and ranger supplies. These resources will help rangers conduct regular patrols across areas known to be home to the Tamaraw.
In addition to these contributions, TMPF has committed PHP 3 million to fund various conservation initiatives. These include habitat monitoring and research, support programs for barangay and Indigenous Peoples (IP) volunteers, equipping the Tamaraw Research and Conservation Center, and conducting Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) activities, such as the observance of National Tamaraw Month.

The MOU signing took place during the grand public launch of the “Next Generation Tamaraw” in Makati City. The signing ceremony was led by DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, TMP President Masando Hashimoto, and TMPF President Jose Maria Aligada.
The Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP) was established on July 9, 1979, under Executive Order No. 544 issued by the Office of the President. It became a flagship initiative of the DENR in 1987. The program’s mission is to protect the Tamaraw by addressing the threats to its population and habitat.
The Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), also known as the Mindoro dwarf buffalo, is a small buffalo species found only on Mindoro Island in the Philippines. Classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Tamaraw population in the wild is estimated to be around 500-600 individuals as of 2024.
