Innovation expo showcases climate-resilient house design

BATAC CITY, ILOCOS NORTE — An Augustinian-run foundation has come up with a house design that can withstand the extreme weather conditions in the Philippines.

Featured in the Grassroots Innovation and Circular Economy (GICE) 2025 expo in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, the Balay Bao Housing Project was conceptualized by the Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation Inc. (SNAF).

Balay Bao is the Cebuano term for "turtle house," which symbolizes protection and durability.

The design includes a curved roof and materials used can be found locally including the sawali, a traditional woven split-bamboo mats.

The house design was originally developed for Cebu communities severely affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, particularly in the Kinatarcan Island in the town of Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu. The island is one of SNAF's mission territories or an area designated for evangelization of the Catholic Church.

According to SNAF Assistant Director Dennis Abarientos, the house design is appropriate for the residents of Kinatarcan Island in Cebu since it can also withstand hot and humid weather.

"Yung hangin nakakapasok, yung init nakakalabas. Pag bagyo at iba pang kalamidad, yung livestock pwede ipasok sa ilalim ng Bahay," Abariantos told GMA News Online.

(The house is designed to allow wind to enter and heat to escape. In the event of storms or other calamities, the livestock can be sheltered underneath the house.)

He added that the house design also features parts where residents can stay during an earthquake and storm surges.

Among the project's main beneficiary groups is the Hagdan Kinatarkan Langub Women's Association (Hakilaw).

Halikaw President Enriqueta Bacolod said their community currently has seven Balay Bao houses that survived the recent magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City last September 30 and tropical cyclones Tino and Uwan.

"Matibay naman. Nakasurvive naman sa lindol, sa bagyo," Bacolod told GMA News Online.

(It's durable. It survived the earthquake and storms.)

Tino has left at least 269 fatalities, with 150 dead in Cebu, after several areas in Visayas were devastated.

Meanwhile, at least 79 fatalities were reported from the earthquake that hit Bogo City, northern Cebu.

The house design has yet to be patented.

Abariantos said those interested in the design may reach out to SNAF.

Established in 2009, SNAF is the social development arm of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA)-Province of Santo Niño de Cebu. — BAP, GMA Integrated News