Holcim CSR programs helps over 350,000 in 2018

Among the Holcim Helps programs in 2018 is the 16-day forklift operations training for the community of its Davao plant. The program was done in partnership with the Barangay Ilang government and the local offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Cement maker Holcim Philippines, Inc. directly helped over 350,000 in 2018 through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs that are designed to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN). 

The summary of Holcim Philippines’s 2018 Stakeholder Engagement Plan showed that its CSR programs called Holcim Helps assisted 356,917 individuals in 2018. With this, the company has aided more than 600,000 people since 2015 to surpass its commitment to the LafargeHolcim Group of assisting 400,000 people by 2020.  

The company invested the highest share of its Holcim Helps budget on initiatives for Livelihood and Inclusive business (34.5%), followed by Infrastructure and Shelter (22.3%) and Education (21.3%). The programs are aligned with the 2030 Sustainability Plan, a set of commitments made by LafargeHolcim Group to contribute to the achievement of UN’s efforts to advance human welfare.

Holcim Philippines President and CEO John Stull said the company will continue its CSR programs as part of its sustainability commitment to help uplift communities where it operates.

“As hosts of our facilities, our communities play an important role in Holcim Philippines success and it is only right that we give back through these programs. We will continue working with various stakeholders to implement projects that help improve the lives of people where we operate,” he added.

Holcim Philippines Vice President for Communications Cara Ramirez said the Holcim Helps programs are aligned with its message that the company’s contribution to progress goes beyond supplying essential building materials. She noted that programs have also been improved to be more sustainable and supportive of the company’s objectives.

“We moved away from the traditional donations as the primary form of assistance towards more active collaborations with our communities to develop programs that are responsive to their needs. This helps our programs to have a more lasting positive impact,” added Ramirez.

Among the CSR highlights in 2018 were the potable water system project in La Union, the welding course for the community in Bulacan, hand washing facilities for daycare centers in Misamis Oriental, and the forklift operations training in Davao. Employees and other partners across Holcim sites also actively participated in volunteer programs throughout the year.