Driven by its mission to “Build the Nation Together,” CEMEX Holdings Philippines has initiated its own relief operation program for Taal Volcano evacuees called “Project Yakap” to provide much-needed supplies and resources for the affected residents.
Through the generosity of CEMEX employees and sponsors who extended their support, relief goods were gathered and distributed to the evacuees in different areas of Batangas.
Blankets, sleeping mats, toiletries, and food were given to 100 evacuees in Kumintang Ilaya, 50 each in Paharang East, El Sitio Dumantay, Sico Jail, Sirang Lupa and Banaba East, 62 in Calicanto, and 35 evacuees in the Provincial Sports Complex.
“We felt the urgency to respond immediately and lend our help to those who were directly affected by the Taal eruption,” says Chito Maniago, Regional Corporate Communications and Public Affairs director at CEMEX Philippines.
“It is devastating to see so many families lose their homes and livelihood, and so we reached out to all CEMEX employees and some of our partners in order to gather donations and mobilize volunteers for the ‘Project Yakap’ relief operation,” he added.
“We are very happy to have been able to offer at least some form of aid to several evacuees in Batangas, and we are still continuing the Project Yakap effort to help more of the affected families,” Maniago said.
The Project Yakap relief operation was also made possible through the cooperation of the Batangas provincial government, Acro Distribution Network, Inc., and Vouno Trade and Marketing Services Corp.
In attendance during the distribution of relief goods were Maniago, Batangas City Councilor Aileen Montalbo, CEO of Acro Distribution Network Alfred Tumacder, Head of the Batangas Terminal Arlan Miranda, and volunteer employees from CEMEX.
“Nation building also involves being ready and available to help others recover, especially in times of calamities like the Taal eruption,” says Maniago. “Recovery won’t happen overnight, but when we are helping one another, we can still have hope to recover or rebuild what was lost.”
Donations in monetary form were also contributed by CEMEX employees to continue the Project Yakap relief operation efforts. Through several of their programs, which aim to uplift and empower communities, CEMEX hopes to consistently be of help to all Filipinos in need.
CEMEX has a rich history of improving the welfare of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future in more than 50 countries worldwide.
In the Philippines, CEMEX subsidiaries Apo Cement Corp. in Cebu and Solid Cement Corp. in Rizal produce and market a broad product mix of building solutions. These cement manufacturing plants carry the well-established cement brands Apo and Rizal.
