Aboitiz supports call to maximize use of local construction materials

CEBU, Philippines —  The Aboitiz Group fully supports the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) appeal to prioritize the use of Philippine-made materials in the administration’s Build, Build, Build (BBB) program to help jumpstart the economy and sustain jobs for Filipinos amid the ongoing health crisis.

Aboitiz, which has businesses in the cement manufacturing and construction sectors, reiterated its support to government initiatives and capability to provide unhampered services as well as competitive and quality products.   

“As the country heals and slowly recovers from the current pandemic, the Aboitiz Group continues to look for ways to also address the economic impact of this health crisis. We will keep on investing resources to help the government fire up the economy through solutions and products that are proudly Filipino backed by global expertise,” Sabin M. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer, said.

“We envision a Philippines with strong and durable infrastructure that will serve Filipinos for generations to come,” Aboitiz added.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) earlier pushed for the use of local construction materials for projects under BBB and other national and local infrastructure projects. DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, who noted this during the deliberation on the “Bayanihan To Recover As One Act” or the Bayanihan 2, said that patronizing local products will revitalize various industries and create more jobs for Filipinos.

Consumer rights organization ‘Laban Konsyumer’ recently called on the government to support the “Buy Pinoy” program for BBB to revive and create local employment.

Laban Konsyumer requested implementing government agencies to publish lists of legitimate construction materials brands for the public’s information after alleged reports of imported products being mislabelled as made or produced in the Philippines surfaced.

Meantime, Aboitiz unit Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. (Republic Cement) is ready to support calls to maximize the use of local construction materials.  Republic Cement’s six plants nationwide are fully operational and running full-steam ahead.

“Republic Cement is in a position to fully support the Philippine government’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program,” said Republic Cement Chief Executive Officer Nabil Francis.

Acknowledged in the industry as a leader in bulk cement for reliable consistency and predictability, Republic Cement manufactures bulk cement products Republic Type I and Republic Type II.

Republic Cement has long been supportive of big-ticket government projects. For instance, the company’s Fortune Cement (premium quality blended cement) was instrumental in building the 53-year-old Batangas International Port, one of the country’s national ports and a key port in Region 4A. A strategic point of entry in Luzon, it enhanced the industrial growth and potential of the province.

At present, Republic Cement is supporting the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway Phase 1 and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Extension through its Republic Type 1 cement brand, the approved brand for these ongoing projects.

Republic Cement products and services were also instrumental in building the Quezon Ecotourism Road, LRT,  Pagbilao Power Plant, San Roque Dam, and the renovation, expansion, and modernization of the North Luzon Expressway.