DMCI Homes partners with CRIBS Foundation on new shelter for children

DMCI Homes has joined hands with CRIBS Foundation, Inc. in creating a new sanctuary for abandoned and abused children in Antipolo City.

As part of its "Kaakbay corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, DMCI Homes recently donated construction and finishing materials to be used for CRIBS" new shelter in Antipolo City.

CRIBS is an apostolate established to provide temporary care to dependent, neglected, abandoned and surrendered infants, and sexually abused girls.

The non-government organization will relocate from its original home in 15 Major S. Dizon Street, Industrial Valley, Marikina City to C. Lawis Extension, Barangay San Luis, Antipolo City by yearend to give a safe and loving home environment for each child resident.

The current CRIBS shelter sits on the Marikina fault which is among the reasons that forced the apostolate to consider a change in address according to Cristina Estrada, CRIBS Chairman of the Board.

"Actually it's not just an issue of earthquake but also an issue of flooding and fire. The one that precipitated us to look for another home was Ondoy." The flood went through our doorstep. We also experienced a fire that engulfed two houses before us, related Estrada in an interview.

"So we said it has to be a safe home for the babies. Second one is we realized our babies didn't have fresh air and they didn't know how the sky looked like at night. They could not see the moon. We"re happy that DMCI Homes is a part of this new shelter, she added.

The new CRIBS shelter in a 3,000 square meter-lot in Antipolo City will still feature two buildings and connecting offices, with one structure devoted to its "New Beginnings program for sexually abused young girls.

CRIBS will also still limit the number of child residents to maintain the quality of care given by the shelter. "Twenty-seven at most. We want to maintain the quality of care also. It's hard to expand because the quality of care will suffer, she said.

Jan Venturanza, DMCI Homes AVP for Marketing, for his part, said DMCI Homes is privileged to be in partnership with CRIBS in bringing comfort to the child residents of the apostolate.

"We at DMCI Homes are happy that in our own little way, we were able to contribute to this very noble cause, he shared.

Kaakbay is a DMCI Homes CSR program which aims to support advocacies beneficial to the Filipino society.