Pru Life UK expands climate resilience and community support efforts in Bantayan Island

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK reinforced its commitment to the Bantayan Island communities in Cebu through Ulan Alang sa Bantayan, the company’s climate resilience initiative, alongside its annual gift-giving activity.

Launched in 2024, Ulan Alang sa Bantayan aims to educate communities and build long-term resilience against the impacts of climate change, with a focus on water security. In the programme’s pilot year, Pru Life UK donated two rainwater harvesting systems for its adopted communities – providing a reliable 2,000-liter supply of clean water to over 500 families. Training sessions on the proper use and maintenance of the systems were also conducted to ensure sustainable support for the communities.

This year, the company continued the programme by facilitating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) training and distributing gift packs as part of its annual gift-giving tradition. To further community capacity-building, Pru Life UK also conducted a pilot run of a new financial literacy programme for adults developed by Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc.

“Ug alang kanako, dako kaayo og impact ang WASH program, labi na sa tubig tungod kay ang tubig maoy naghatag og kinabuhi alang kanatong tanan, ug naghatag og limpiyo sa atong matag usa. Ug labaw sa tanan, dako kaayo ikatabang kanato, ingon nga paglimpiyo sa atong kaugalingon, ug labaw sa tanan, personal hygiene alang kanato. Dako kaayo ni'g ikatabang tungod kay kon limpiyo ang atong kaugalingon, limpiyo sab ang atong palibot. (For me, the WASH programme has a huge impact, especially when it comes to water because water gives life to all of us and provides cleanliness for each one of us. Above all, it greatly helps us in cleaning ourselves and maintaining personal hygiene. This is very important because when we are clean, our surroundings are also clean,” said Rolly Giducos, community leader from Maricaban, Santa Fe on Bantayan Island, one of the community beneficiaries).”

Pru Life UK’s support for Bantayan Island started when the Prudence Foundation formed a multi-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines to help rebuild the homes of residents affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda. When the housing initiative was completed in 2017, the company continued its annual outreach, which has since evolved and expanded through the Ulan Alang sa Bantayan programme, which was developed in collaboration with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) to align with its broader climate and health advocacy.

“Our work in Bantayan reflects our belief that progress is built through trust and shared responsibility,” said Calvin Kohchet-Chua, Pru Life UK Chief Legal, Government Relations, and Sustainability Officer. “As Ulan Alang sa Bantayan grows, so does our dedication to helping communities prepare for the future with confidence and security.”

Through sustained partnerships and programmes that address both immediate and long-term needs, Pru Life UK continues to embody what it means to be a trusted partner in protection – one that Filipinos can count on today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.