Concreat's Commitment to Community: CSR in Action

Every bag of APO, Island, or Rizal Cement represents more than just decades-long craftsmanship – it carries a legacy of trust built with communities across the country.

 

At Concreat Holdings Philippines (CHP), this trust extends far beyond construction sites. It’s shaped through action: by standing with communities in times of crisis, creating sustainable livelihoods, and helping families build stronger foundations for the future.

 

Today, Concreat’s commitment to nation-building continues through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. From Rizal to Cebu, these programs highlight how Concreat’s heritage brands – namely APO, Island, and Rizal Cement – don’t just build structures; they help build lives.

Building hope in times of crisis: APO Cement’s relief operations 

When a powerful earthquake struck northern Cebu, Concreat’s response was immediate and heartfelt. In true bayanihan spirit, the APO Cement team rallied together under the banner of #OneConcreat to bring urgent aid to affected families in Bogo City and the municipalities of San Remigio and Medellin.

 

APO Cement employees, including their Emergency Response and Security Teams, Community Relations Officer, and company nurse, were among the first responders on the ground. A diverse group of volunteers joined later, including more APO employees, community members, contractors, scholars, and even daycare teachers from the APO Day Care Center.

 

Together, they repacked and delivered food, water, and other essentials to hundreds of displaced residents. Others sent in-kind and monetary donations, ensuring no affected household was left behind. This collective effort served as a reminder that Concreat’s strength lies in its people – in its employees and partners who show up when it matters most.

From farmers to entrepreneurs: The LECA juice story

Beyond disaster response, Concreat is helping local communities secure a stable source of income through livelihood programs that promote long-term sustainability. One standout initiative is the LECA Juice Livelihood Program in Naga City, Cebu.

 

The project began when Concreat helped the Tinaan Neighborhood Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TNMPC) through the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) of its subsidiary, Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC). Seeing its growth potential, Concreat helped the cooperative, a group of farmers originally engaged in livestock farming, transition into lemongrass calamansi (LECA) juice production.

 

The company’s support went beyond funding. Concreat helped construct a dedicated production area that enabled members to properly process and bottle their products. It also provided essential equipment, including a heavy-duty juicer, to improve production efficiency and ensure consistent quality. In addition, members received skills and financial literacy training to help them manage operations effectively and sustain the business for the long term.

 

What started with just 20 members has now grown to around 100, with the cooperative’s LECA juice available both in local stores and the APO Cement plant’s canteen. This small but thriving business has given farmers and their families a stable source of income. What began as subsistence farming is now sustainable entrepreneurship.

 

For Concreat, programs like these demonstrate that community development is most impactful when it’s locally driven. When people see the fruits of their own hands, it further builds pride and resilience. 

Investing in education: Solid Cement’s story of support

In Antipolo, Solid Cement, a subsidiary of Concreat Holdings Philippines, Inc., is making education more accessible through the Aral Tayo Antipolo Program, a literacy and livelihood initiative designed to strengthen early-grade learning while supporting local educators.

 

The program benefited 360 learners from Grades 1 to 3 across nine public schools in Antipolo City. Implemented in partnership with the City of Antipolo, the Department of Education, and Chalkboard, Inc., it improved foundational literacy among young students while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for teachers and facilitators.

 

The program commenced recently with the graduation of these young learners who have now proudly become readers, reinforcing Concreat’s commitment to community development that goes beyond infrastructure. As Antipolo City and Concreat move forward together, Aral Tayo Antipolo stands as a strong example of how education and livelihood can be built hand in hand with every bag of cement we produce.

Building sustainable partnerships

Concreat’s CSR approach is centered on collaboration, working closely with local governments, private partners, schools, and community leaders. Each program aligns with the community’s real needs, whether in education, environment, or livelihood.

 

Across APO and Solid Cement communities, Concreat promotes environmental stewardship through tree planting, waste management training, and river clean-up drives. These initiatives are not just one-time programs; they are integrated into the daily operations of the plants, turning sustainability into culture.

Cementing a stronger future

Concreat’s heritage is built on trust, collaboration, and shared progress. APO, Rizal, and Island Cement have long been part of the Filipino landscape, from the homes we live in to the roads that connect us. But through Concreat’s CSR initiatives, these names now stand for something even greater: a commitment to build stronger communities across generations.

 

Whether it’s providing emergency relief in Cebu, helping farmers in Naga become entrepreneurs, or supporting students in Rizal, Concreat Holdings Philippines is redefining what it means to be a developer of communities.