Construction stakeholders ready to undertake more infra, public works projects

Stakeholders of the construction industry on Tuesday said there is sufficient supply to cater to the government's ambitious infrastructure program, amid fresh funding provided under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.

In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers' Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) and the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) expressed full support for the prioritization of local products and construction materials for infrastructure and public work projects.

"The Philippine building materials industries, especially the cement industry, is confident and ready to ensure that our Philippine infrastructure projects will have adequate materials supply from companies that are proud to be manufacturing locally," said CeMAP executive director Cirilo Pestaño.

"Likewise, the steel industry is ready to assure that our local projects will receive the best quality of building materials, including Philippine steel, available for the government’s ongoing and upcoming projects. As an industry, we are ready to do our part and play a key role in the swift economic recovery of the nation," added PISI president Ronald C. Magsajo.

Just last month, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Bayanihan 2 Act, which provides a P165.5-billion COVID-19 relief package.

Effective until December 19, 2020, the measure includes P4.5 billion for the construction of temporary medical isolation and quarantine facilities, and P1 billion for Tourism Road Infrastructure Programs.

"PSC fully supports the government’s prioritization of Philippine manufactured products and construction materials for infrastructure and public works projects.  Philippine funded projects as well as all other projects must give preference to Philippine manufactured products as long as it meets quality standards required," said Puyat Steel Corporation executive vice president Eugenio Puyat II.

"In solidarity with the cement and steel industry, PFGMI as the leading domestic manufacturer of float glass in the Philippines, guarantees availability of glass products of the highest quality to its key customers, which includes the downstream wholesale glass supply market, to support domestic demand for institutional, industrial, and residential glass products," added Pioneer Float Glass Manufacturing Inc. president & CEO Paul Vincent Go.

The government is now banking on its ambitious Build, Build, Build infrastructure program to drive growth moving forward, after the economy contracted by 16.5% in the second quarter to bring the country to a technical recession. — BM, GMA News