7-Eleven and Habitat Philippines to build homes and schools for Yolanda-affected families in Culion, Palawan

7-Eleven partner with Habitat for Humanity. With a commitment that will build 160 homes and 2 schools in Yolanda affected indigenous community in Culion, Palawan, Jose Victor P. Paterno, Philippine Seven Corporation President/CEO & Director (2nd from right) also signify its support to Habitat Vision 2020 and advocacy program to address poverty housing solutions. Photo shows Habitat for Humanity Philippines CEO and Managing Director Charlie Ayco (3rd from left) with Chief Marketing Officer Yvonne Lih, Donor Management Head Arlene Ramirez and Director of Communications Gina Virtusio.

After Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) levelled their province, some 150 families in Culion, Palawan will finally have the opportunity to rebuild their lives, as 7-Eleven Japan Co. Ltd. and PhilSeven Foundation Inc. (PFI) committed to provide them with new decent homes, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP). 

Families of Barangay de Carabao will be able to sleep soundly with the promise of 160 new environment-friendly, disaster-resilient homes. On top of shelter, the community will also be given two school buildings, which can accommodate up to 140 students, and doubles as evacuation centers in case of calamities.

Barangay de Carabao is located in the island of Culion, at the northern part of Palawan province, where there was virtually no media exposure of the destruction Yolanda dealt the province in 2013.

“The funds generated together by 7-Eleven Japan Co. Ltd.’s and PhilSeven Foundation Inc. aims to help communities, most especially in far-flung areas, significantly alleviating poverty and improve children’s education,” said Jose Victor Paterno, Chairman of PFI. “Through this assistance program, indigenous families whose only source of livelihood are farming and fishing in Culion are provided with the means to uplift their quality of life.”

The Barangay de Carabao rebuilding project is set to begin by January 2016, and is projected to be completed by the end of the same year.

For HFHP’s part, Managing Director and CEO Charlie Ayco said, “We are thankful to 7-Eleven Japan and PFI for partnering with us and heeding the call to help our Filipino brothers and sisters in need of dignified housing.” 

PFI also pledged their support to HFHP’s WeBuild advocacy campaign towards Habitat’s Vision2020, where it seeks to provide decent homes to and reduce the housing backlog of the Philippines by 20%.