‘Holcim CSR assists over 160,000 people’

UNFAZED by the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, Holcim Philippines continued its corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign, which benefitted 164,913 people in 2020.

Dubbed the Holcim HELPS, it includes health and sanitation projects which accounted for 35 percent of the total expenditures, followed by infrastructure projects with a share of 26 percent, community donations at 21 percent, and community water projects at 11 percent.

Holcim Vice President for Communications Cara Ramirez said the company is still committed to support the communities that have been home to their people and facilities for decades, especially during challenging times such as 2020 when the unprecendented health crisis hit globally.

“With the assistance from our partners and great dedication from our people on the ground, we provided much needed support that responds to our communities’ needs. As we grow our company, we will continue and strive further to support the sustainable development of our communities through the HELPS campaign,” she said.

The centerpiece of such CSR program is on water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for schools and communities in collaboration with the League of Corporate Foundations and the Manila Water Foundation (MWF).

Through these partnerships, Holcim Philippines communities received 5,300 information and education materials on proper hand washing and Covid-19 prevention, as well as 800 hygiene kits and children’s storybooks on WASH. Overall, it benefited 78,698 individuals in Bacnotan, La Union; Norzagaray, Bulacan; Mabini, Batangas; Lugait, Misamis Oriental; and Bunawan District, Davao City.

The firm’s donations to fight the pandemic benefitted 45,901 community members and government and medical frontliners. Over 15,000 food packs, 10,000 masks, 300 face shields and goggles, and 50 liters of soap and sanitizers were distributed to various stakeholders nationwide.

Since the launch of Holcim HELPS in 2018, more than 770,000 community partners have gained from the company’s social development initiatives via its cement plants and terminals nationwide. It intends to help another 1.6 million people in the next 10 years.

Other highlights in 2020 were its partnership with the MWF to build 45 lavatories for an Aeta community in Sitio Monicayo, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

For infrastructure, Holcim’s Bulacan plant supported the road and pavement improvement of host community, Barangay Matictic in Norzagaray. Since 2017, it has improved three kilometers of roads and pathways benefitting 6,000 plus residents.

The firm’s Davao Plant turned over last year its second water system project to communities in the Bunawan District. The two facilities now provide sustainable access to water and a future source of livelihood to almost 500 households.