FThousands of youth have gathered for this year's Habitat for Humanity “Youth Build”, happening simultaneously in four key provinces in the country (Bohol, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Naga), to make a commitment to help build decent homes for low-income families across the country. Habitat for Humanity is committed to addressing the housing backlog in the Philippines, where millions remain in substandard housing. The Habitat Youth Build is a movement that engages young people to raise funds for, and awareness of the poverty housing situation in the Asia-Pacific region where one in eight people live in slums, according to the United Nations.

Rebuilding Bohol: “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!”

In Bohol alone, some 5,000 youth gathered for the Youth Build locally themed, “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!”, where thousands made a pledge of commitment to help rebuild Bohol by volunteering for Habitat's house-rebuilding efforts that will run for the next several months. In October last year, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake rocked parts of Bohol destroying houses and leaving families homeless; the Youth Build targets to rebuild over 8,000 homes in 17 municipalities across the province providing decent shelter to families still living in tents and make-shift houses. “Helping those in need is everyone's responsibility. This time, we want to gather our youth and tap into their passion and energy to help get the job done while at the same time serving as role models to the younger generation,” shares Charlie Ayco, Habitat for Humanity Philippine's CEO and Managing Director. The youth convergence took place at the Holy Name University open field with fun games, inspirational messages from youth leaders, and performances from bands and local talents. In the morning, a symbolic build was held at a Habitat site in Loon, where six initial houses were built by youth volunteers led by the Habitat Youth Council. Major sponsor Coca-Cola Philippines helped add festivity to the activities and ensured that volunteers were hydrated with their kiosks and hydration stations.

"Supporting Habitat for Humanity's Youth Build program is but one of our efforts to create a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We also have our 5by20 Program running at Bohol and through it, we are helping women sari-sari store owners revitalize their businesses," shares Atty. Adel Tamano, Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications of Coca-Cola Philippines This year's theme “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!” (Let's gather. Let's build. Let's do it!.), taken from the local dialect, speaks more urgently to the Boholano youth to rise to the challenge of helping their own neighbors, friends, and kababayans rebuild their own communities by taking part in the Youth Build. In November last year, Habitat launched the “Re-Build PH” campaign in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines with a target to rebuild a total of 30,000 houses damaged by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and the Bohol earthquake. "We have been working with Habitat for Humanity through this joint-effort since last year in an effort to help the nation get back on its feet after Yolanda,” adds Atty. Tamano. Other local Youth Build festivities happened in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Naga. Now on its third year, youth from 11 other Habitat countries across the region also participated and built or repaired homes for low-income families.  Habitat for Humanity Philippines is a global non-profit organization committed to addressing the housing backlog in the country. To know more about Habitat and its programs, log on to www.habitat.org.ph.