The Philippines currently has a housing backlog estimated at 6.7 million homes.
In addition to this backlog, thousands of families are displaced yearly due to natural calamities as well as conflict in regions such as in Mindanao.
The housing backlog is expected to surge to 12.3 million homes by 2030.
In order to address this backlog, over 1,000 homes need to be constructed daily between 2016 and 2021.
Since November 2013, Republic Cement’s Tahanan Ko Program has provided low-income families with affordable housing and access to housing loans. Now on its sixth year, the program has helped provide stronger and safer homes for over 34,550 families and has positively affected close to 176,205 lives.
In order to realize this program, Republic Cement has partnered with microfinance institutions (MFIs) nationwide to provide access to housing and home improvement loans.
In addition to this, Republic Cement also provides partner MFIs with Technical Advisors as well as technical training on basic house construction and safety to their foremen and employees. This is done to make sure that the homes that are built are safe, quality structures that will stand the test of time. To ensure that the loans are used for their intended purpose, partner MFIs issue purchase orders for construction materials directly to local retail partners instead of releasing cash to loanees. These retail partners then deliver the materials to construction sites and receive payments directly from the partner MFIs.
To date, the program has generated over Php 810 million worth of income for partner retail stores, who are themselves small and medium enterprises in their localities.
Looking towards the end of 2019 and 2020, Republic Cement intends to expand the program further in order to reach more beneficiaries. The program is especially focused in expanding its reach in Mindanao, where many families continue to be displaced.
“We have a long road ahead, but we are hopeful that our efforts will contribute to nation-building, one home at a time. Our target is very simple—to build stronger homes for a stronger Republic,” shares Republic Cement Services, Inc. President Nabil Francis.