The Aboitiz Group has expressed its full support of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) appeal to prioritize the use of Philippine-made materials in the government’s Build, Build, Build (BBB) program to help jumpstart the economy and sustain jobs for Filipinos amid the ongoing health crisis.
With businesses in the cement manufacturing and construction sectors, Aboitiz reiterated its belief in government initiatives and capabilities to provide unhampered services as well as competitive and quality products.
We will keep investing resources to help the government fire up the economy through solutions and products that are proudly Filipino backed by global expertise. We envision a Philippines with strong and durable infrastructure that will serve Filipinos for generations to come.
–Sabin M. Aboitiz, President & CEO, Aboitiz Group
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, Republic Cement is ready to support calls to maximize the use of local construction materials, with its six plants in the country 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 strategic point of entry in Luzon. It is credited for enhancing industrial growth and potential in the province and surrounding areas.
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.
