Aurora families build climate-resilient homes
AURORA was identified in a 2023 report by The Cross Dependency Initiative as among the provinces vulnerable to climate change. In response, the project, “Matibay na Bahay para sa mas Ligtas na Buhay,” helped 37 families in the province’s towns of Baler and Dipaculao to strengthen their houses against extreme weather. It raised awareness on the importance of climate-resilience building to more than 3,000 people. It provided access to housing loans to low-income families and employed 120 local masons.
The project was completed by building solutions provider Holcim Philippines Inc. in collaboration with nonprofit social innovator Build Change and microfinance institution Alalay sa Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. (ASKI).
Among the beneficiaries is Marissa Villaruz, whose family was trapped inside their house by floods caused by Typhoon “Lawin” in 2016. This traumatizing experience motivated her to participate in the program to strengthen their house by incrementally transitioning from timber to concrete.
Lily Lorenzo also joined the program to fix her house’s leaking roof and stop the water seeping through the walls every time it rains.
Holcim Philippines has been helping families and community masons access additional knowledge on construction materials and practices to build decent, resilient yet affordable homes. Zoe Sibala, Holcim Philippines chief sustainability officer, said that Filipino families, especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, must be able to help themselves in building strong and safer homes. One way is to give them “access to financing … coupled with the knowledge of building resiliently and the use of quality and low-carbon building materials.”
Build Change developed a special training module on strengthening houses using Holcim’s low-carbon cement products such as general purpose cement Excel ECOPlanet, masonry cement Wallright Prime and Superfine Skimcoat.
Since its post-disaster reconstruction following Typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013, Build Change has been working to prevent housing loss against future disasters. It has built 2,000 safer buildings for 40,000 people, trained over 4,700 individuals in safe construction practices and created 560 jobs.
ASKI, started in 1986 by Christian business leaders in Nueva Ecija to provide microfinancing access to small entrepreneurs, has been serving rural communities and overseas Filipino workers. With a portfolio of P1.7 billion with 98 branches in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 2 (Cagayan Valley) and 3 (Central Luzon), it has insured more than 800,000 members and their families.