Cement maker Holcim Philippines, Inc. directly helped over 200,000 people in 2019 through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs designed to support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN).
The company’s CSR initiatives under Holcim Helps benefitted 229,170 individuals last year. With this, the company has helped more than 800,000 people since 2015, surpassing its commitment to the LafargeHolcim Group of assisting 400,000 people by 2020.
The biggest share of the funds were directed to initiatives for infrastructure and shelter (31%) followed by livelihood and inclusive business (20%), environment (17%), education (13%), and health (8%).
In January, Holcim’s Davao plant was recognized by the Region XI office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for supporting the agency’s programs to uplift indigent people. In 2019, Holcim Davao partnered with DSWD and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for trainings on plumbing, welding, forklift operations, masonry and carpentry that benefited over a 100 people in the community.
Other Holcim Helps highlights in 2019 were its support to the development of a sustainable tourism master plan for the municipality of Bacnotan, La Union, the masonry training for people displaced by the conflict in Marawi in partnership with the UN Human Settlements Programme and TESDA and the inaugural Young Builders Challenge, a sustainable construction contest for aspiring architects and engineers. Holcim employees also participated actively in volunteer programs throughout the year.
Holcim Helps initiatives are aligned with the LafargeHolcim Group’s 2030 Sustainability Plan, a set of goals that contribute to the UN’s efforts to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
Holcim Philippines President and CEO John Stull said the company will continue to implement progra working closely with various stakeholders to implement sustainable projects that help uplift the communities where it operates.
“Our Holcim Helps programs are our way of giving back to our communities. As hosts of our facilities, they play an important role in the success of our company,” Stull added.
Holcim Philippines Vice President for Communications Cara Ramirez said the Holcim Helps programs are aligned with the company’s message of contributing to progress beyond supplying essential building materials. In 2019, the programs also focused more on collaboration and emphasized the value of sustainability.
“We developed our CSR programs to have a more lasting positive impact. Our active collaboration with our communities helped us identify the right programs that are responsive to their needs. These are strategic initiatives that complement our operations. To ensure effectiveness, we prioritize sustainable programs that provide more quality support to our stakeholders,” Ramirez added.
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Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Philippine Stock Exchange: HLCM) is one of the leading building solution companies in the country. The Company has a deep portfolio of innovative solutions fostered by a full range of products from structuring to finishing applications that can help local builders execute with high performance and efficiency a wide range of projects from massive infrastructure to simple home repairs.
With cement manufacturing facilities in La Union, Bulacan, Batangas, Misamis Oriental and Davao, as well as aggregates and dry mix business and technical support facilities for building solutions, Holcim Philippines is a reliable partner of builders in the country.
Holcim Philippines is also committed to the highest standards of sustainable operations and manufacturing excellence with its plants certified under ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management System), ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management System) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System).
Holcim Philippines is a member of the LafargeHolcim Group, the world leader in the building materials industry present in 80 countries with over 80,000 employees.
*LafargeHolcim has signed an agreement with San Miguel Corporation for the divestment of its entire 85.7 percent shareholding in Holcim Philippines Inc. The process is still ongoing. You may get more information on this development at this link:
https://www.lafargeholcim.com/lafargeholcim-divests-activities-philippines
