14 May 2012

Keppel-GK Eco Village houses 60 poor families

Located in the Municipality of Bauan, in the Province of Batangas, Keppel-GK Eco Village is home to 60 needy families. In this safe and vibrant living environment, the beneficiaries can better focus on improving their standard of living and strengthening their ties to the community.

A third group of 20 needy families have received homes at the Keppel-GK Eco Village, a 60-unit housing development project jointly undertaken by the local government of the Municipality of Bauan, in Batangas, the charity organisation Gawad Kalinga (GK) and the Singapore-based multinational Keppel Group.

A handover ceremony took place at the Eco Village today to officially present the families with their new homes. The event was graced by Singapore's Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency V.P. Hirubalan, Batangas Governor Ms Vilma Santos Recto, and GK Founder Mr Antonio "Tony" P. Meloto, Jr.

With businesses and operations around the world, Keppel Group seeks to contribute positively to communities where it operates. Through its subsidiary Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc. (KPMI), the Group operates two offshore and marine facilities in the Philippines - namely, Keppel Batangas Shipyard and Keppel Subic Shipyard.

Keppel Group donated a total of PhP 10.5 million to the development of Keppel-GK Eco Village. A proportion of this sum was raised from Keppel's business units and employees in Singapore through a fundraising activity organised by Keppel Volunteers and Keppel Young Leaders, Keppel's units to promote volunteerism and nurture young talents.

Over the past year, employees from Keppel Batangas Shipyard have actively volunteered in the construction of the Keppel-GK Eco Village. They participated in the building of the homes after work, over weekends and during public holidays.

The local government of Bauan led by Mayor Dolor had contributed the land for the Eco Village project, and provided guidance and support to the building process. Strategically located within a residential district, near commercial operations, the Eco Village is conducive for its residents to build ties with the wider community and find employment.

Bauan Mayor Dolor, commented, "A corporate member of Bauan for more than 35 years, Keppel has worked with the municipal government to initiate and support many social development and environmental initiatives.

"I commend Keppel and GK for their hard work on Keppel-GK Eco Village, which provides a safe and healthy living environment to 60 needy families. It is heartening to have organisations with a strong sense of citizenry operating in Bauan."

Mr Nelson Yeo, MD (Marine) of Keppel Offshore & Marine, MD of Keppel Shipyard and Chairman of KPMI, shared, "It is with the trust, confidence and support of the authorities as well as our partners, customers and friends in the Philippines that Keppel has been able to grow our operations here. In addition, the leadership of Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, Mayor Ryanh M. Dolor and Director General Atty. Lilia B. De Lima of PEZA has provided us with a healthy business climate in Batangas.

"We actively support social development and environmental initiatives. We are glad for the opportunity to join hands with the local government of Bauan and GK to participate in the meaningful Keppel-GK Eco Village project."

Apart from volunteers from Keppel, this project has also inspired others from local and overseas to lend a hand. Some of the groups which have helped out at the Eco Village are De La Salle Lipa, Batangas State University, Dongshin University of Korea, University of California of U.S.A., civic groups from Batangas and Lipa City as well as the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy.

The beneficiaries of the Eco Village too were actively involved in the construction process. Putting in 1,000 man-hours per family in the development of the Eco Village, the 60 families granted homes in the Eco Village have cultivated a strong sense of belonging for their new community.

Mr Tony Meloto, Founder of GK, shared, "GK strongly believes that together, we can end poverty and build a sustainable future for all. We are glad that GK's framework for community building has the blessings of the Philippine government and are embraced by responsible corporate citizens such as Keppel Group.

"Many caring hands contributed to the successful development of Keppel-GK Eco Village. Inspiring compassion and care, the Eco Village has drawn many volunteers. I hope this culture of volunteerism will continue to strengthen."

At the handover ceremony, GK presented the Eco Village project's regular volunteers with tokens of appreciation.

Besides the Eco Village project, Keppel Group's other charity projects in Batangas include technical training for out-of-school youths, college scholarships to needy students and coastal clean-up activities.

For its community efforts, Keppel Philippines Marine recently received an Outstanding Community Projects Award from PEZA during its 17th Anniversary and Investors' Recognition Night.

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About the Keppel Group

Present in more than 30 countries, the Keppel Group aims to be the Provider of Choice for Solutions to the Offshore & Marine Industries, Sustainable Environment and Urban Living, guided by its key business thrusts of Sustaining Growth, Empowering Lives and Nurturing Communities.

Keppel's involvement in the Philippines dates back to more than 35 years, and began with the setting up of a shipyard in Batangas, in Southwest Luzon.

Today, the company through Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc. (KPMI) operates two shipyards in the Philippines, Keppel Batangas Shipyard and Keppel Subic Shipyard. Offering services spanning ship repair and conversion, shipbuilding and offshore fabrication, the two yards have strong track records for safe, on time and within budget deliveries.

KPMI is a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine, a global leader in offshore rig design, construction and repair, ship repair and conversion, and specialised shipbuilding.

Through Keppel Philippines Properties Inc (KPP), 51% owned by Keppel Land Limited, the Group also develops and manages residential, commercial and retail properties in the country.

About Gawad Kalinga
Gawad Kalinga, which means to .give care. in Filipino, is a Philippine-based movement that builds communities to end poverty through a value-based holistic development program that aims to empower the poor to journey out of poverty. GK engages multi-sectoral movement involvement, believing that poverty is an overwhelming challenge that can be addressed only if everyone works together. For more information, you can visit www.gk1world.com

For further information, please contact

Alan I. Claveria
Business Development & Corporate Affairs Manager
Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc.
Tel: +63 2 892 1816
Mobile: +63 918 912 6629
Email: aiclaveria@keppelpm.com