Holcim helps Philippines in Covid-19 Fight

To contribute to the nation’s fight against Covid-19, cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPI) is shifting its corporate citizenship budget to provide medical supplies to hospitals assigned to treat coronavirus patients and relief items to its affected communities.

The company has allocated a substantial share of the budget for corporate citizenship program Holcim Helps to procure much-needed medical personal protective equipment such as surgical masks, respirators and face shields to be donated to the Lung Center of the Philippines (Quezon City) and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (Caloocan City). These hospitals are among those assigned by the Department of Health to treat Covid-19 patients.

Holcim Philippines has also started to distribute food and hygiene products to communities hosting its facilities in Bacnotan, La Union, Norzagay and Calumpit, Bulacan, Tondo, Manila, Calaca and Mabini, Batangas, Iloilo City, Lugait, Misamis Oriental and Davao City. Approximately 1,500 families and government front line workers have benefitted from the first batch of distribution completed as of April 14.

Holcim President and CEO John Stull: “Holcim Philippines is one with the country in fighting Covid-19. We are very proud of our people who are actively contributing to their communities and the country in pushing back against this disease. Guided by our overarching value of Health and Safety, our company has taken actions to support the efforts to contain the spread of the disease and ensure the well-being of our people, partners and our communities. Holcim Philippines will continue to support the country’s efforts against Covid-19 and follow the guidance of health authorities on this matter. Our thoughts go to everyone affected by this. We wish everyone safety and good health in these trying times.”

Despite most its plants and terminals closed due to enhanced community quarantine, the goods were successfully distributed thanks to the company’s skeleton workforce led by its CSR teams supported by its partner suppliers and vendors. Holcim Philippines followed strict health and safety guidelines such as social distancing, and careful packing of goods to ensure people are safe during the distribution.

Holcim Philippines’ close monitoring of the Covid-19 situation enabled it to quickly tighten regulations on social distancing, personal hygiene and health screening in all its sites in line with guidelines set by Philippine health authorities. Among the key actions, it took were the installation of new handwashing stations and strict enforcement of social distancing at all its sites.

Holcim Philippines also immediately complied with the quarantine orders from national and local governments to contain the spread of Covid-19. To limit human-to-human contact, it shifted to electronic means in dealing with business partners and encouraged use of digital platforms to provide customers a convenient way to continue transactions amid the quarantine.

Furthermore, the company has implemented a Covid-19 information campaign focused on personal hygiene, social distancing and mental health to help its people and their families keep safe during the quarantine.