HOLCIM Philippines Inc. and Build Change Philippines are working together on disaster-resilient housing projects and vow to push this advocacy among stakeholders. Both parties agreed to initially support areas impacted by Supertyphoon Odette in 2021.
As part of their recently sealed partnership, they will also collaborate on possible initiatives to build or retrofit schools and evacuation centers in calamity-prone sites and promote capacity-building via training and championing of policies or financing strategies to key partners.
Finally, the two organizations are committed to develop a scalable affordable housing program in collaboration with other major allies like microfinance institutions to increase access to cheap yet disaster-resilient homes, particularly for the more vulnerable segments of society.
Build Change Philippines country director Arnel Capili emphasized the importance of making structures more strong in the Philippines since it’s vulnerable to natural catastrophes, such as earthquakes and storms.
Apart from being within the Pacific Ring of Fire and the typhoon belt, he added that climate change further heightens these threats as it intensifies extreme weather globally.
“The advocacy of Build Change is to build resilient houses and provide Filipinos a safe space when these disasters come. This partnership will help make that come true. This will be as solid as Holcim cement, durable as Build Change house, and as lasting as the friendship and camaraderie that we will forge with Holcim Philippines,” Capili said.
Meanwhile, Holcim Philippines senior vice president and chief sustainability officer Zoe Sibala noted the significance of their partnership to the company’s commitment to build inclusive growth in the country.
“Owning a home remains an elusive dream for many Filipinos. Build Change has been paving the way for increased access to affordable, decent, and resilient homes in the country so we are happy to complement this effort,” she explained.
According to Sibala, their team up shows the business value that that they can deliver while solving social issues, and key to this is a credible partner with a good track record.
“Through our innovative and sustainable building solutions, and with the right products for the right applications, we look to help Build Change in its mission of building more resilient homes and realize our vision of building greener, smarter and for all,” she said.
For Holcim Philippines vice president and Head of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility Cara Ramirez, the partnership strengthens the firm’s support for communities to be more disaster resilient having done such projects for survivors of Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and neighbors of its Davao Plant living in flood prone areas.
“This supports our commitment to build progress in the Philippines by contributing to make homes more resilient against extreme weather and natural disasters caused by climate change. Doing so allows us to contribute to sustainable development as the lives and property of our countrymen are better protected,” Ramirez added.
Build Change has worked in the Philippines since Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. During the time, it has supported both post-disaster reconstruction and work to prevent housing loss against future disasters.
Among its achievements are the construction of over 2,000 safer buildings for 40,000 people, training of over 4,700 individuals in safe construction practices, creation of 560 jobs, and expansion of its network of partners in local government, business sector for greater impact.