Ateneo and Ubay break ground on sustainable and disaster-resilient housing prototype

The Ateneo School of Government, through the Ateneo Policy Center (APC), in partnership with the Department of Health - Health Promotion Bureau (DOH-HPB), Technical Assistance Movement for People and Environment, Inc (TAMPEI), and the Municipality of Ubay, Bohol, officially launched the construction of the Prototype Sustainable and Disaster-Resilient House through the ceremonial groundbreaking and time capsule laying ceremony last 8 October 2024.

This initiative is a critical milestone in the Development and Pilot Implementation of the Health Promotion Playbook for Sustainable and Disaster-Resilient Housing Project. It underscores the commitment to advancing disaster-resilient housing solutions and promoting healthy, sustainable communities in Ubay and beyond.

The ceremony brought together officials and representatives from the barangay, municipal, and provincial levels. Among the key officials present were Mr Jun Flores, Executive Assistant to Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado; Hon Constantino Reyes, Mayor of Ubay; Hon Oscar Boyles, Chairman of Brgy Bood; Dr Benjhoe Empedrado, Healthy Communities Team Lead at the DOH-HPB; and Ms Ruth Cecilia Delprado, Development Management Officer II at the DOH-CVCHD. 

Hon Boyles initiated the ceremony with a warm welcome, followed by remarks from Dr Empedrado, who emphasized the significance of sustainable and disaster-resilient housing in enhancing health outcomes and community resilience. Mr Flores delivered a message of support on behalf of Governor Aumentado and Congresswoman Vanessa Aumentado, affirming the provincial government's backing for initiatives that promote healthy communities and disaster preparedness. The event featured a commitment wall signing, where participants pledged their dedication to the project’s long-term impact on Ubay and the nation.

Following the messages of support, the ceremonial groundbreaking and time capsule laying took place, symbolizing the official start of the construction phase.  Mayor Reyes spoke on the project's significance, emphasizing its potential to inspire other municipalities to adopt the Health Promotion Playbook and replicate the prototype design. Ms Delprado closed the ceremony, reiterating the project’s alignment with the broader goals of health promotion and disaster risk reduction of the DOH.

The Prototype Sustainable and Disaster-Resilient House in Ubay represents a significant step toward creating safer, healthier communities in the Philippines. The project aims to set a new standard for cost-effective housing that can withstand the increasing impacts of climate change. Through continued collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and technical experts, the initiative hopes to inspire widespread adoption of resilient housing practices across the country.