Mazda Medicare Fund Archives

Mazda Philippines helps create awareness of the critically endangered pangolin

Companies periodically demonstrate their corporate social responsibility (CSR) by supporting worthwhile causes or organizing and sponsoring activities for the benefit of communities. In some cases, they may also fund efforts to create awareness of conservation activities to prevent certain wildlife from becoming extinct.

One example is the latest initiative by Mazda Philippines which is giving support to the efforts of the Katala Foundation, a non-profit NGO in the country that protects and conserves wildlife. The initiative by the Mazda distributor is to help raise awareness for pangolins, a critically endangered species and believed to be the world’s most trafficked mammal.

Palawan, an island on the southwestern side of the Philippines, is the natural habitat of the pangolin which is from the anteater family. Its name is said to be originally derived from the Malay word ‘pengguling‘, which means ‘one who rolls up’.

Special edition of BT-50
Mazda Philippines is helping to create awareness of the pangolin with the BT-50 4×4 Pangolin Special Edition which is imported from Thailand. Besides special graphics depicting the pangolin, the special edition – developed from the top version for the market – also comes with special accessories and customization.

Power comes from a 3.2-litre engine with 200 bhp/470Nm which goes to the wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission and 4×4 drivetrain. Engineered for taking on tough duties in challenging terrain, the pick-up can take a payload of up to 1,086 kgs and tow a trailer or another vehicle weighing up to 3,500 kgs.

Even though there are accessories fitted, Mazda Philippines is selling the BT-50 Pangolin Edition for less than a standard BT-50, at a retail price of 1,400,000 pesos (about RM118,400).

“The Mazda BT-50 Pangolin is embarking on its most meaningful job ever – to help raise awareness on the critically endangered Philippine Pangolin species,” said Steven Tan, President & CEO of Mazda Philippines.

“The Philippine Pangolin deserves our attention and concern. That is why together with Katala Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit Philippine NGO that is active in protecting and conserving threatened endemic wildlife, we at Mazda Philippines will make use of the enduring nature of the BT-50 to promote awareness and inspire conservation of the Philippines’ and the world’s most critically endangered mammals,” he explained.

Mazda Philippines will also loan to the Foundation one unit of the BT-50 4×4 Pangolin Edition for a year. The NGO can use the vehicle to promote its wildlife protection advocacies, as well as perform its preservation and monitoring duties.

Media exposure of the special edition model in the Philippines would also help generate interest and awareness in the danger of extinction that the pangolin is facing.

Caring culture of Bermaz Auto Berhad group
The CSR initiative of Mazda Philippines mirrors the caring culture of Bermaz Auto Berhad, its parent company based in Malaysia. 5 years ago, it established the Mazda Medicare Fund (MMF) which provides help to renal patients urgently in need of life-saving haemodialysis but have financial constraints.

With the MMF, eligible patients can receive subsidized haemodialysis treatments at designated dialysis centres nationwide. Since 2015, the MMF has contributed a total of RM2.4 million which has supported more than 176 patients throughout Malaysia.

Sponsors — *The MMF gets donations from individuals and corporate sponsors through fund-raising events like golf tournaments.*

Besides the MMF, the companies in the group also raise awareness and contributions for good causes through events such charity golf tournaments, donations to the needy and supporting sports.

Click here for other news about Mazda and Bermaz.

Bermaz Motor sells Mazda vehicles and also provides humanitarian aid and medical relief

To the Malaysian public, Bermaz Motor is associated with Mazda vehicles, distributing them nationwide and providing aftersales services to the increasing number of owners. However, there is also another side to the company which provides humanitarian aid and medical relief to the under- privileged and also actively supports communities and organisations requiring assistance.

To achieve these aims, it recently hosted its 7th Mazda Charity Golf Tournament for the Mazda Medicare Fund (MMF). This year, the charity tournament was held at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf & Country Club in Shah Alam, Selangor and received tremendous support from 150 participants. The event raised a total of RM447,550 for the MMF, which came from generous golfers, donors and sponsors.

The MMF was established in 2015 and is jointly managed with Prima Merdu Sdn Bhd and in collaboration with B. Braun Avitum Renal Services to provide life-saving haemodialysis treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with financial constraints. As of today, there are 12 B. Braun’s dialysis centres operating nationwide and eligible patients can receive subsidies for haemodialysis treatments. Over the past 5 years, the MMF has contributed a total of RM2.4 million which has supported more than 176 patients throughout Malaysia.

Additionally, the MMF has also supported various communities such as old folk’s homes, orphanages, people with disabilities and Down Syndrome children by providing financial aid. The communities are carefully selected and vetted by the MMF Team to ensure that all donations will be put to good use.

The MMF Team consists of volunteers from within the Bermaz organization so there are no additional costs involved in its operations. This will allow the full amount of donations received to go where it really matters – to the people in need.

Another approach taken to raise funds is through the Mazda Privilege Card (MPC). In a tie-in programme with MMF, all sign-up fees will serve as funds donated by Mazda Owners. The introduction of the MPC has been well received with heart-warming support for its noble cause.

Aside from contributing to the society, owners of the MPC can also enjoy a 15% discount on Mazda genuine spare parts and official merchandise, along with a 5% discount on labour charges (applicable at Mazda showrooms and aftersales service centres operated by Bermaz Motor and Prima Merdu).

Bermaz Motor believes that one of the good ways to contribute to the society is by partnering with the community and the Mazda Medicare Fund (MMF) is one of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects to bring about a society and enrich the lives of those who are in need. The company is grateful for the unwavering support from customers, business partners, donors and sponsors to the MMF initiative.

For information relating to the Mazda Medicare Fund, you can send email to mmf@mazda.com.my. To know more about Mazda and Bermaz Motor, visit www.mazda.com.my.

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