So in working on an article on corporate responsibility, we included Isuzu — in the person of public relations manager Timmy Naval — in our e-mail list for a questionnaire on the subject.
The following are Isuzu’s answers to our questions:Q: Does your company practice corporate citizenship or corporate responsibility? Is this an integral part of your company’s operations and activities?
A: Yes, Isuzu Philippines Corporation is very much aware of the importance of corporate citizenship. Our corporate slogan, in fact, is "Your Responsible Partner." We want people to know that Isuzu is not all about building and selling motor vehicles. We want them to know that more than sales statistics, we are really concerned with how to make the community that we’re part of, a better place to live in.Q: How is this manifested?
A: Every year during our company anniversary on July 31, we do socially responsible activities instead of throwing lavish parties.
For instance, we have donated a school building to Biñan; 15,000 Narra seedlings to Quezon; garbage traps to Santa Rosa, and 10,000 tilapia fingerlings to Laguna Lake. Also, in most of our activities for the media, we do our best to promote local tourism by bringing journalists to various places in the country.Q: Is road safety part of your company’s practice of corporate citizenship?
A: Yes, because we are ordinary road users just like our customers. We realize how dangerous our roads can be if they are used by people who have completely no regard for safety. The vehicles that we assemble are relatively big and heavy ones, and so we know that their safe and proper use is important if our customers are to stay away from accidents.
In view of this, we as a company do our part in educating the public about the proper way to operate AUVs, SUVs, pickups, trucks and buses. Earlier this year, for example, we flew in renowned rally driver Bruce Garland to conduct an actual workshop on off-road driving. IPC is as committed to road safety as anyone in the auto industry.Q: What do you think of the idea of teaching children early in life about road safety?
A: We think it is a great idea, especially when you consider that majority of the casualties on the road consists of very young people.
As Filipinos also, we know that old habits die hard. This is precisely the reason that our public-utility drivers are having difficulties obeying traffic rules even if these are strictly implemented.
They have spent most of their adult lives driving the wrong way and they find it really hard to change now. Thus, we also believe that the real solution is to shape the mind-set of would-be road users while they are still young and impressionable.Q: Will your company support road safety education for children and older people?
A: By all means necessary, yes. We commend the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ) for leading the way in addressing this serious concern. We have shown our support by actively participating in the group’s fund-raising projects to finance the production and distribution of road safety education modules for use in elementary and secondary schools.
Our company will continue to make itself and its resources available in the future so that the noble and lofty goal of SPMJ may be reached.
