Bombardier Celebrates Opening of Three Schoolhouses in the Typhoon-Damaged Philippines
BERLIN, October 22, 2014 /3BL Media/– Bombardier and Habitat for Humanity Philippines today celebrated the official opening of dual-classroom schools in three storm-ravaged towns on Cebu Island, Philippines. The schools were handed over to the principals of Tapilon Central Elementary School, Kawit Elementary School and San Remigio National High School in the presence of their respective mayors. Also in attendance were Charlie Ayco, Managing Director and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Philippines and Gottfried Schleich, General Manager, Bombardier Transportation Finance Shared Services Organisation, Cebu.
In accordance with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy focusing on the areas of education, environment and entrepreneurship in communities in which it operates, rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation made a worldwide call to its employees for donations after Typhoon Haiyan (called Yolanda in the Philippines) struck the Philippines in November 2013. Bombardier management agreed to match employees’ contributions and then signed a Memorandum of Agreement with non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity Philippines.
Under the agreement, Bombardier’s $125,000 (USD) donation would be used to rebuild local schools in storm-damaged communities in Northern Cebu, where the families of many Bombardier employees live. Bombardier’s action contributed to re-establishing a healthy learning environment for approximately 4,500 students in the communities of Tapilon, Kawit and San Remigio where students had been attending classes in temporary, makeshift classrooms following the storm.
Rosario Dublin, Principal of Tapilon Elementary School said: “We are grateful for the support provided by Bombardier and Habitat for Humanity Philippines as this brand new building is very conducive to learning and will change the lives of pupils in Northern Cebu. Education is essential to the prosperity of communities and the well-being of our citizens. Therefore this contribution is highly welcomed and appreciated by the pupils and their families.”
Charlie Ayco, CEO and Managing Director, Habitat for Humanity said, “Habitat’s philosophy is not only to provide houses, but also promote holistic community development. The classrooms that Bombardier has generously donated are an investment in education that will definitely rebuild lives and help people move forward following this calamity.”
Habitat’s Re-build Philippines aims to meet the shelter needs of communities affected by natural or man-made disasters such as super typhoon Haiyan, the Bohol earthquake and the Zamboanga City crisis. Its disaster response program provides emergency and shelter repair kits and builds core houses for affected families.
In 2009, Bombardier established a Finance Shared Services Center in Cebu City to handle accounting and reporting for 13 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. In August 2014, a Non-Product Related Procurement Shared Service Center was opened. Today, Bombardier is an active member of the community, supporting and sponsoring events like Mangrove Planting, Coastal Cleanup Day and this year’s annual Sinulog Festival parade that attracted about 3.5 million people from across the Philippines.
For more information about Bombardier’s CSR activities and its sustainability report, visit www.csr.bombardier.com/en/media-centre.
About Habitat for Humanity Philippines
Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) is a non-profit organization that serves Filipino families in need of decent homes. We bring together partners who share the same vision of transforming lives through building responsible and sustainable communities. Established in 1988, HFHP is a country affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International based in Georgia, USA. For 25 years, HFHP has served over 60,000 families throughout the country. HFHP envisions that every Filipino family has a decent place to live. Visit www.habitat.org.ph or www.facebook.com/habitatphilippines for more details.
About Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIER ECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.
About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.
Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
