As Toyota Motor PH revs up, safe working place takes centerstage
Walking into the Santa Rosa, Laguna plant of the country’s leading automotive manufacturer, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), employees are instructed to stand a few meters apart, sanitize their hands and pick up their mask along with their safety glasses. They also get their temperature checked.
Exiting the facility, it’s much of the same. Indeed, it’s a far different process than how the manufacturing plant used to operate before it temporarily shuttered—along with the rest of the industries—after the government declared last March 17, the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to counter the effect of the increasing spread of COVID-19 infections.
As TMP resumes its Santa Rosa plant operations on May 18, plant leaders and team members are now embracing the “next normal”.
Alfred Ty, chairman for Toyota Motor Philippines, had earlier said that restarting business as soon as possible is the best way stimulate economic activities in the country adding that “cars and mobility are essential drivers of the economy, and that every time the quarantine status changes, companies, in general, need to re-strategize.”
ECQ, most welcome
He also welcomes the government-enforced modified ECQ level because, even if operations are only at 50 percent, that still means the business is already running.
Ty also believes the automotive industry will play a major role to keep boosting the economy and drive the nation forward.
Prior to resumption of plant operations, precautionary measures were conducted in the plant to ensure safety and adherence to production protocols. He said TMP has developed robust and best practice safety measures to ensure team member safety as they return to work. “Our goal is maximum reduction of personal contact and intensification of hygiene measures.”
All reporting team members have been briefed on the safety guidelines and measures that will be strictly followed in the plant. The overall workforce currently reporting on single-shift operation is within the 50 percent cap mandated by the government under MECQ guidelines.
Ty promised that TMP will continue to monitor government guidance and regulations throughout this ramp up period and will make whatever changes as may become necessary to ensure that TMP team members are safe and that the required production capacities of the high-demand Toyota models coming out of its Santa Rosa plant are met.
Respond better
With the resumption of plant operations and as more areas in the country ease into more relaxed community quarantine guidelines, Toyota will be able to respond better to the needs of its customers.
As of May 20, 66 out of the 70 Toyota dealer outlets nationwide have resumed operations with safety and sanitation guidelines also in place. Due to social distancing measures implemented within the showroom, customers are encouraged to set an appointment before visiting their nearest dealers.
TMP dealers’ directory can be accessed at https://toyota.com.ph/dealer.
Aside from reopening of dealerships, services have also resumed in the following service centers (as of May 20): Toyota Alabang Service Center, Toyota Shaw Service Center, Toyota North EDSA Service Center, Toyota Davao Body and Paint Center, and Toyota Negros Occidental Service Center.
For more information about Toyota’s operations and for other customer references for car services, care and management, visit TMP’s support hub at https://toyota.com.ph/hereforyou. For more Toyota updates, visitwww.toyota.com.ph or check out Toyota’s official social media pages at ToyotaMotorPhilippines (Facebook and Instagram), and @ToyotaMotorPH (Twitter). With a report from Tessa Salazar
