Village Connect
On Bantayan Island, where the sea shapes daily life and the weather can change everything, resilience is no longer just a word—it is becoming a way of living.
Pru Life UK returned to the island with a mission that goes beyond yearly outreach. Through its climate resilience program, Ulan Alang sa Bantayan, the company continues to help communities prepare for a future shaped by climate change, starting with one of life’s most basic needs: water.
The initiative began in 2024 with the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in the communities of Maricaban and Sulangan. Each system can store up to 2,000 liters of clean water, now serving more than 500 families. Alongside the installations, residents were trained on proper use and maintenance to make sure the systems remain helpful for years to come.
This year, the program grew even further. Pru Life UK, together with PRUVolunteers and partner organization ASSIST, conducted Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) training, teaching families how clean water and good hygiene can protect health and improve daily living. Gift packs were also distributed as part of the company’s annual tradition of sharing during the season of giving.
To strengthen families beyond physical needs, Pru Life UK introduced a pilot financial literacy program for adults, developed by Prudence Foundation. The sessions helped residents understand saving, budgeting, and planning—skills that support long-term stability, especially in communities vulnerable to natural disasters.
For community leaders like Rolly Giducos of Maricaban, the impact is clear. Clean water, he shared, means healthier families, better hygiene, and a cleaner environment—small changes that create big improvements in everyday life.
Pru Life UK’s relationship with Bantayan began years ago, when it partnered with Habitat for Humanity Philippines to rebuild homes after Super Typhoon Yolanda. Even after the houses were completed in 2017, the company stayed, turning annual visits into long-term partnerships that now focus on climate readiness, health, and education.
“Our work here is built on trust,” said Calvin Kohchet-Chua, Chief Legal, Government Relations, and Sustainability Officer of Pru Life UK. “As this program grows, so does our commitment to helping communities face the future with confidence.”
In Bantayan, every drop of rain now carries more than water—it carries hope, preparation, and the promise of a stronger tomorrow.
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