MANILA, Philippines — The government housing sector has signed an agreement with the International Labor Organization (ILO) for the implementation of a demonstration project on green jobs promotion in socialized housing.

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, who is concurrent Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairman, witnessed the signing recently of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Lawrence Jeff Johnson, country director of the International Labor Organization (ILO), and Chito Cruz, general manager of the National Housing Authority (NHA).

The project, “Green Jobs Promotion in Socialized Housing,” aims to contribute to environmental sustainability as well as economic productivity and social equity.

Binay said the project, which will promote climate-resilient and environment-friendly materials for socialized housing construction, “will be made by the hands of socialized housing beneficiaries themselves.”

The demonstration project, to be launched in Southville 8 Resettlement Site in Rodriguez, Rizal, is expected to promote green jobs in the housing sector with the aim of “greening” socialized housing projects throughout the country.

Two green products will be promoted and utilized for housing construction: The Modified Concrete Hollow Blocks and the Coconut Coir System.

“It is high time that we shift to green technology and use green materials in the construction of housing units, socialized housing in particular. On top of its potential for generating jobs, it will have lasting benefits to our environment,” Binay said.

The ILO will provide funds and technical support for the project while the NHA, through its Housing and Technology Development Office (HTDO) and its Livelihood Development Department (LDD), will work closely with the ILO in project implementation.

The Modified Concrete Hollow Blocks will come from the Cocotech Corporation and the Coconut Coir System from the MCM ECO Chem Management Corporation.