BASE, in partnership with the Hineleban Foundation, designed the “Torogan” inspired Cement-Bamboo Frame house that is not just sustainable and disaster-resilient but has taken into account the community’s geographical and cultural needs.

This project, composed of 2 standard model houses and the Torogan house features the Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT) developed by Base with vernacular designs. With more than just appealing designs, these houses are disaster-resilient, sustainable, and environment-friendly.

The Torogan, which translates to “resting place”, is a type of home built by the Maranaos using native materials. Together with BASE’s architects and engineers, a community in Lanao created a new housing design incorporating the Torogan and the CBFT.

RESULTS

Total Number of Model Houses: Two (2) standard model houses; One (1) Torogan House
Area: Hineleban Farm, Bukidnon
Housing Type: Single-Storey; Two-Storey (Single detached)

This year, Base Bahay begins its first international housing project in Birtamod, Nepal.

In partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Sahara Nepal, Base Bahay has begun training local engineers and workers in the Cement Bamboo Frame Technology for the construction of 37 socialized housing units in the Jhapa distract of Nepal.

The project aims to provide quality homes to 35 families from the district’s urban poor, through the completion of two demo houses by April 2020, followed by the 35 full units by the end of June.

As a developing country with abundantly-growing bamboo, Nepal has welcomed the Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology mixed with local construction techniques adapted to fit both their climate and culture. This is the core of building with the CBFT – bringing quality, disaster-resilient homes that cater to the specific needs of developing countries, while promoting sustainable building technologies.

Additionally, the project ensures that equal opportunities are given to both men and women; this June 2020, a training program was initiated for women in construction labor and masonry work.

The program aims to empower and provide more income opportunities for women from the local community. Further on, the first batch of women that have undergone the training program are expected to train the next batches to be employed in the construction of the 35 Cement-Bamboo Frame Housing units.

Houses to be Built: 37
Beneficiary Profile: Low-income families, urban poor
Area: Birtamod, Jhapa, Nepal
Housing Type: Single-storey Duplex

Happyland in Tondo, Manila, is widely-known as one of the most impoverished areas in Metro Manila. One of the most densely-populated areas in the world, Happyland houses the nation’s vulnerable urban poor, with young orphans some of the most vulnerable.

In 2017, humanitarian organization 4P For People, envisioned a sustainable village that will be home to orphaned children from Happyland. In 2019, they partnered with Base Bahay Foundation to build the Rejoice Children’s Village in Nasugbu, Batangas.

The Village will consist of 4 Children’s Homes (8 units) which can house up to 6 children and 2 caretakers each, a multi-purpose building, and housing units to be granted to other urban poor families.

The Children’s Homes are set to be completed by 2020, where the children can begin their new lives and grow in a healthy and safe community.

RESULTS
Children’s Homes to be Built: 4 Duplexes (8 units)
Other Structures: Multi-purpose Hall
Beneficiary Profile: Orphans from urban poor
Area: Nasugbu, Batangas
Housing Type: Single-storey Duplex

Panabo City in Davao del Norte is a city known for its sprawling banana plantation. This plantation, handled by the Tagum Development Corporation (TADECO), has continuously provided employment to locals and boosted the local economy.

In 2019, as part of TADECO’s commitment to its employees, its humanitarian arm, the Antonio O. Floirendo Foundation partnered with Base Bahay to build a sustainable community for its workers.

The project consists of two phases: a bamboo treatment facility, and Cement-Bamboo Frame homes for the workers.

The treatment facility aims to provide training and income opportunities to local farmers and workers on alternative bamboo building technology, while 100 CBFT homes will be provided to the local plantation workers and employees, giving them a safer community in which they can live comfortably and thrive.

Houses to be Built: 100
Beneficiary Profile: Low-income families, farmers and plantation workers
Area: Panabo, Davao del Norte
Housing Type: Single-storey Duplex

According to a news article written by Francis Mangosing (2013), Typhoon Yolanda led to the deaths of at least 100 people in Tacloban with even more left injured and homeless. With winds sweeping at a record high of 275 kilometres per hour, many houses were guaranteed to have been dilapidated by these intense weather conditions. A partnership between Operation Blessing Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on responding to the needs of marginalised communities through evangelisation and basic community services and Base Bahay, Inc. was concretized last April 27, 2015 to build an initial number of 20 houses in Palanog, Tacloban City. This project is part of the infrastructure component by the project: “Community of Hope”.

In this project partnership, Base Bahay Foundation introduces the alternative building technology to Taclobanons through the creation of houses with the Cement Bamboo Frame Technology and the provision of manpower skills training to assist in construction. This provides members of the community with quality homes and a stable source of livelihood.

The purpose of this project is to advocate and promote “alternative technology in socialized housing construction” in the Philippines. Moreover, it aims to provide displaced victims of Typhoon Yolanda with the opportunity to attain affordable disaster-resilient housing in Brgy. 103, Palanog, Tacloban City. Eventually, this project created a total of 100 houses, exceeding the initial goal of only 20 houses.

RESULT

Houses Built: 100 houses built (20 houses for Phase I October 2015 ; 80 houses for Phase II March 2017)
Beneficiary Profile: Yolanda Survivors
Area: Tacloban
Housing Type: Single-Storey Detached

Many Negrense Families struggle to find and acquire permanent homes of their own often settling with shanties and self-made houses. Majority of these houses are usually found in disaster-prone areas or land unfit for permanent housing, constantly threatening an individual’s health and security.

Base Bahay Foundation has partnered with Gawad Kalinga to provide 50 permanent disaster resilient bamboo homes to families living in poverty. The housing site in Barangay Cabug, Bacolod, is located near multipurpose halls and roads to provide residents with the accessibility to commute or travel to areas around the province. Moreover, residents in the surrounding vicinity are also beneficiaries of Gawad Kalinga. The disaster resilient Base Bamboo houses were turned over to Negrense families in Cabug, Bacolod. These houses are designed to provide simple, decent, gender sensitive, durable and affordable housing for families living in areas such as Barangay Cabug. With this, it provides families with a deeper sense of community and human dignity; characteristics that are ultimately essential to the improvement of one’s quality of life. The turnover was celebrated last December 4, 2017 with a Holy Mass and an awarding ceremony. This event was attended by representatives from Base Bahay, Gawad Kalinga and the provincial and municipal governments.

RESULTS

Houses Built: 50 houses (25 duplex units)
Beneficiary Profile: Families living in poverty with no permanent homes
Area: Cabug, Bacolod
Housing Type: Single-Storey Duplex