Toyota PH President Commutes Around Manila to Understand “Daily Struggle” of Filipinos

Toyota Motors Philippines’ newly appointed president, Hiro Okamoto, spent his first week in the country going around Manila — by public transportation.

Previously based in Japan, Okamoto visited various locations in the metro not to sightsee but to gain a better understanding of the daily commute that Filipinos go through.

“During my first week in the Philippines, I decided to do “Genchi Genbutsu,” or to “Go and See” the daily struggles of Filipino commuters,” he shared in a Facebook post.

https://www.facebook.com/TMPPresidentsOffice/posts/126682968882905

(Is Manila’s Hellish Commute System Harming More Than Just Our Physical Well-being?)

Okamoto then details his commute experience: “I rode a bus, took a round trip of the MRT, rode the jeepney, queued for a long time to ride the UV Express, and lastly, took a tricycle ride to Tondo! For me, it’s a good learning experience.”

The point of it all? So that he might use this knowledge to aid in improving the Philippines’ system of commute.

“I realize that unlike Japan or Singapore, the Philippines’ current mass transport system is not enough to accommodate the huge number of daily commuters,” he shares. “I would like Toyota to take part in this big challenge to upgrade the quality of life for many Filipinos.”

What do you think about this?

Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad!