Philippine Airlines and Habitat for Humanity Philippines recently joined forces to help improve the lives of residents in a relocation site in Calauan, Laguna.
In line with its service philosophies, ‘The Heart of the Filipino’ and ‘Buong Pusong Alaga’, about 70 PAL employees opted to spend their weekend painting houses at Humanity Ville in the National Housing Authority Relocation Site II, Brgy. Dayap, Calauan, Laguna.
Various activities for children were also held such as art and craft workshops, parlor games and gift-giving.
“We came here to express our solidarity with the goals of Habitat for Humanity to build houses for poor Filpinos,” stated PAL President and chief operating officer Jaime J. Bautista in a speech delivered by the airline’s vice president for Security Ret. Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo on his behalf.
Beneficiaries of the housing project are former informal settlers living in high-risk areas along the stretch of Pasig River. Most of the residents came from Pasig, Paco, Pandacan and Laguna.
The project was developed in 2010 as part of the project ‘Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig’ (KBPIP), which was intended to rehabilitate Metro Manila’s major waterway. Habitat was invited by KBPIP to join the project. It has now built 650 homes at the site.
“We are thankful to Philippine Airlines. Their interaction alone with the community is very helpful. That is what the people need. Of course, their help in improving the residents’ houses is a big help. But more than that, what is important is how they treat the people and that they know there are people who care for them,” said Charlie Ayco, Managing director and chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Philippines, during the event that coincided with the organization’s 29th founding anniversary.
Early this year, PAL forged a partnership with Habitat, committing to support its noble mission to bring people together and build homes and communities. The airline donated 500,000 miles to enable them to exchange them for PAL tickets when Habitat officials and staff need to travel in pursuit of their advocacy.