James Hardie opens doors of opportunities for Yolanda survivors

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Every carpentry workshop conducted by James Hardie was in-depth and hands-on providing a learning platform for carpenters to further their skills. 

When typhoon Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas, particularly the provinces of Samar and Leyte, the world saw a super typhoon could easily wipe out towns and cities from the map and leave behind scores of casualties.

Almost two years after the catastrophic event, a lot of residents from the typhoon stricken provinces are now almost back on their feet especially those who were eager to kick-start their lives by learning new things during the rehabilitation efforts from different organizations.

James Hardie, the world leader in fiber cement building products, partnered with De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) to create a lasting and effective change on some of the most-badly hit communities.

During the workshop, carpenters did not only learn basic carpentry but also went home confident of their newly acquired skill

In rebuilding the communities, James Hardie organized a successful basic carpentry workshop earlier this year wherein survivors were taught how to install HardieFlex® building products and eventually make a living out of their newly acquired skills.

“We wanted to extend help that will have lasting effects for the survivors—something that will be beneficial to them for the rest of their lives,” said James Hardie Country Manager Mark Sergio. “By holding carpentry workshops, we are teaching them how to be self-sufficient in rebuilding their communities.”

Few months after the workshop, James Hardie and DLSP went back to the community and asked how the carpenters are doing. 

“The workshops were really a big help for all of us, especially for people who did not know where to start after their traumatic experiences,” said Danilo Galos, a Yolanda survivor from one of the partner communities. “The workshops and all the assistance gave us a fresh start. After the training, I landed a job within a week, which was a great help for my family. Learning how to install HardieFlex is also an advantage because a lot of customers would prefer to use it.”

Arturo Moramion shared the same sentiments, saying that learning the right way of installing HardieFlex® on timber and metal furring did him some good after it made him a better carpenter. “The training was a big help on my work and I was able to share this new knowledge to my co-carpenters. I also learned how to install and handle HardieFlex products, which are all durable, resistant to fire and termites and does not contain asbestos.”

Meanwhile, for Cesar Moralida and Ricardo Cabiao, the workshop opened doors of opportunities for them after they both landed new jobs, which helped them rebuild what was destroyed during the typhoon. “I landed a new job in just a week which helped me provide for my family,” Cabiao said.

“I’m not a full-time carpenter. However, because of the training given by James Hardie, I am now confident that I have the skills to work as a full time carpenter.” Moralida said. 

Almost two years after the devastation, the communities that benefited from James Hardie and DLSP’s efforts have shown dramatic change. With the participants showing that they are now on the right track, the two institutions are successful in inspiring people to rise above their situation. Indeed, through collective effort, nothing is impossible, as what James Hardie and DLSP have shown.

James Hardie helps Yolanda survivors rebuild communities

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Alongside its mission of providing building products to build better and more durable houses for Filipino families; James Hardie, the world leader in fiber cement technology, is likewise a responsible corporate partner of Filipinos in building a better, more durable future.

The carpentry workshop organized DLSP and conducted by James Hardie Philippines was attended by 32 carpenters from Dulag and Diit, Leyte. Engr. Wilfredo Abella and Gina Anacta from DLSP, and Roland Badilla and Renato Zagada from James Hardie were present during the workshop.

This was made manifest when James Hardie partnered with De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) to help rebuild schools in the Yolanda-ravaged areas of Leyte and Samar, providing safer and more weather-resistant classrooms for students in schools adopted by DLSP.

This remarkable collaboration saw James Hardie and DLSP conducting a basic carpentry workshop last January wherein survivors were taught how to rebuild classrooms and eventually make a living out of their newly acquired skills. This also gave them the knowledge to construct their own homes which were severely damaged by Yolanda.

James Hardie Philippines, in partnership with De La Salle Philippines, conducted a HardieFlex carpentry workshop in Dulag, Leyte.

The workshop, called “Rebuilding the Future,” drew enthusiastic participants who learned basic carpentry skills such as HardieFlex ceilings and walls installation.

“The basic carpentry workshops were activities we felt passionate about,” says James Hardie Country Manager Mark Sergio, who believes that teaching the survivors how to be self-sufficient in rebuilding their communities will show them how to live without compromise.

“Aside from providing sturdier classrooms to the community, James Hardie and De La Salle Philippines thought that having carpentry workshops would help the survivors build livelihoods from the new skills they’ve acquired.” says DLSP President Br. Jose Mari Jimenez. “We want to help ease the painful memories caused by Yolanda.”

Jimenez also added that they chose communities that greatly need help and where members are eager to learn, willing to strive hard and be one in the rebuilding efforts.

Thirty-two carpenters from Dulag and Diit, Leyte attended the carpentry workshop focusing on actual hands-on installation of HardieFlex fiber cement boards on timber and steel framing.

“DLSP adopted these communities because they needed immediate assistance,” Sergio said. “We volunteered because we wanted to provide them with the right tools to start anew and help some community members find some purpose after an unfortunate experience.”

Response to the basic carpentry workshop was overwhelming. Even neighboring communities joined the workshop as they listened intently to the lectures and learned hands-on carpentry techniques.

“It is heartwarming to see how their confidence was restored by doing something functional and meaningful,” says Kgd. Corazon Canales. “Though it’s really difficult to restore everything, it is safe to say that this is a huge start for us.”

James Hardie: Living Without Compromise

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Many people, when faced with time or budget constraints, or a decision between old and new ways of doing things, are forced to accept standards that are lower than desirable. Yet there is one aspect in life where there should be no room for compromise: the building of spaces where we live, work, play, and enjoy life to the fullest. 

James Hardie—a highly respected, admired innovator and world leader in the building materials industry—espouses elevating standards and prioritizing quality. As a result, its products, especially the HardieFlex brand of durable fiber cement boards, have become the top choice among discerning architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and homeowners since the brand’s introduction to the local market in 1996.

The brand trusted by the experts, James Hardie products, provide durability and design flexibility. And this is enhanced by James Hardie guidelines on how not to compromise when it comes to safety, sustainability and cost-efficiency. 

1. Put stock in things that last a long time

Founded in Australia in 1888, the company that pioneered state-of-the-art fiber cement technology in the 1980s has invested much in research and development for its cornerstone Philippines product range, HardieFlex. 

Now, the most trusted fiber cement brand by architects in the country, HardieFlex is the go-to material for withstanding the test of time and resisting a host of problems. Unlike plywood, HardieFlex is resistant to moisture damage, fire, termites, rotting, and impact. 

This durable product has also been tested on a variety of landscapes and weather conditions. The Philippines, in particular, is a tricky place in which to build homes and buildings, given its varying weather which ranges from hot and humid to cold and wet. HardieFlex® fiber cement products are specifically manufactured to perform superbly in the face of these unique factors affecting Philippine construction. It protects against moisture damage and rotting all year round, for many years to come. 

2. Think cost-efficient instead of cheap

When local homeowners economize on construction materials, are they truly saving their money or just compromising on quality? Some materials like wood and plywood may be less expensive initially, but since they’re not as durable, they need to be repaired and replaced more often. Result: they’re more expensive in the long run. 

Built to last, HardieFlex® is more pocket-friendly. It can be installed in various applications with minimal labor costs for homeowners. With HardieFlex®, construction can be cost-efficient without skimping on safety and structural integrity.

3. Choose both form and function

There are endless design possibilities with HardieFlex®. Initially marketed and known as material for ceilings and walls, the durable fiber cement boards has expanded its line, offering several applications such as eaves, fascia, flooring, wet areas, and external cladding. 

HardieFlex Ceilings, HardieFlex Walls, HardieFlex Wet Area Solution, HardieFlex® Senepa, HardieFlex Eaves, HardiePlank Siding, and HardieFlex Flooring all allow for a wide variety of sizes and applications to fit your design and decorative taste. 

4. Go for sustainable and health friendly

Years of experience, research and development, and knowledge from across the globe have made James Hardie products the ideal tool, not only because of their quality and durability. It aims to deliver an ideal and cost-efficient way of building spaces without forgetting two important elements: the people and the environment. With HardieFlex®, James Hardie delivers products that are both health- and eco-friendly. 

First, its products are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals emitted in the air which may be harmful to people and the environment. Secondly, asbestos, a common additive found in other fiber board products, are 100% absent from HardieFlex® products. Research shows that VOCs can cause serious respiratory problems in children and the elderly. Without these harmful compounds threatening to pollute the air people breathe, it is much easier to enjoy life without worry. 

HardieFlex® products are also energy-efficient and designed to provide thermal comfort. Moreover, the products use sustainable raw materials and goes through a manufacturing process which minimizes the impact on the environment. 

5. Always go the extra mile

Confident of the top-notch quality of its products, James Hardie provides a ten-year warranty on all HardieFlex fiber cement boards. This winner of 3 out of 4 feature awards at the Architects’ Choice Awards Philippines 2014 by BCI Asia, including Most Trusted Brand for cement boards, also comes with excellent after-sales service. The company has dedicated hotlines for customer and technical support (toll-free 1-800-1-888-5427; or (02) 895-5427.

Living life without compromise seems like a very difficult undertaking. But with HardieFlex®, you won’t need to settle for anything but the best.