Investments in Loving Organizations for Village Economies (ILOVE) Foundation formally signed an agreement with ESCA Incorporated to construct various structures on the foundation’s eight assisted sites.
ESCA will provide structural engineering services using digital technology to implement the designs created by PDP Architects.
According to Atty. Jean de Castro, ESCA chief executive officer, they want to “elevate the engineering practice in the Philippines.”
“We’ve always wanted to do things in a new and better way,” she said. “We are now looking at using technology in engineering, so we pioneered the use of building information modeling [BIM] in the Philippines…building things digitally first, and using technology to build better coordinated buildings.”
ILOVE Foundation founder and chairperson Gina Lopez emphasized that the design of the structures is important.
“What I’ve experienced in development work…the design is everything. Kung maganda ang design, pupunta ang tao. Kung maganda ang design, aangat ang ekonomiya,” she explained.
Lopez pointed out the three main criteria for the design and construction of the structures—environment friendly, culturally attuned to the place and typhoon resilient.
ILOVE Foundation had also signed an agreement with PDP Architects in December 2018 to create designs aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The eight groups and communities which have a chance to jumpstart their projects and businesses through the help of ILOVE Foundation’s partners are University of the Cordilleras in Benguet, Agap Bulusan in Sorsogon, Busikong Greenland MPC in Maguindanao, RIC Kape Maramag Inc. in Bukidnon, Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation in Zamboanga, Lasiwwai in South Cotabato, Mindanao State University in Tawi-Tawi and Health Futures Foundation in South Cotabato.
To know more about ILOVE Foundation’s projects, visit facebook.com/questforloveph. (Story/Photos by: Althea Cahayag)