Construction boom to cushion impact of crisis

The local and overseas construction boom will cushion the impact of the financial crisis that is sweeping across the globe, according to top executives.

Naps Algenio, chief executive officer of Stone 2000 and Edel Morales, vice president of Central Century Estate Inc., told The STAR during a Philippine business and news forum in Quezon City that despite the crisis, demand for new new houses is still rising.

Algenio, who runs a chain of architectural and finishing products show rooms in Metro Manila said the demand for houses is expected to rise next year and this will provide employment opportunities both to skilled and unskilled workers.

“More jobs mean income and spending and this will help stimulate the economy,” he said.

He said this early their firm has scheduled deliveries to construction   firms because of the high demand for natural stone, clay bricks, pavement blocks ceramic tiles and other architectural finishing products.

Algenio said environment friendly businesses would make good in the coming year because of the campaign against global warning.

“We have to go back to nature, to the basic needs of man which is food, shelter and clothing,” he said.

Stone 2000 caters to the architectural and and natural stone needs of high-end as well as regular housing projects which included the world class Lakeshore Subdivision in Pampanga.

He said the secret of his business is the use of ancient technique with modern appeal in the design of garden stone paths, paving blocks and landscape trends.

“Building a house is a work of art; it must have beauty that stands the test of time but at the same time is cost efficient,” Algenio said.

Morales for his part said the construction boom in the Middle East will provide jobs for Filipino construction workers who are getting skills training from the Techinical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

He said after the completion of buildings which are mostly hotels and recreation facilities, new job opportunities would open up for cooks, waiters and other tourism related jobs in the Middle East.

“There will be a continuing demand of jobs for Filipinos in the Middle East,” Morales said.    – Perseus Echeminada