4 big cement manufacturers resume production

Four of the country’s biggest cement manufacturers have rekindled production and distribution, all ready to serve the country’s construction needs now that the country has started reopening the economy after a two-month lockdown.

Eagle Cement Corp. announced on Friday that it resumed partial commercial operations after shutting down its factory in Bulacan last March 18 in compliance with the government’s enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) guidelines aimed at containing the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Republic Cement has also resumed full operations at five of its sites: Bulacan, Rizal, Batangas, Danao and Iligan “under strict compliance with health and safety requirements from the DOH (Department of Health) and DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways.” On May 20, Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. disclosed that it had resumed operations at its Solid Cement plant in Antipolo City, Rizal.

Holcim Philippines Inc. also announced on May 26 that it had restarted manufacturing and logistics operations at its plants and terminals in La Union, Bulacan, Manila, Batangas and Davao. During the ECQ in these areas, Holcim’s plant in Lugait, Misamis Oriental, sustained operations to support customers and construction activity in North Mindanao.

“We are starting to ramp up production as local demand for cement picks up following the easing of restriction in markets that we serve. We fully support government’s call to prioritize critical infrastructure projects to help reboot the economy,” Eagle Cement president and chief executive Paul Ang said.

“We hope to be able to safely return to a semblance of normality, mobilize our supply chains, create jobs and stimulate consumer spending,” Ang said, adding that the company had implemented health and safety protocols in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of government agencies.

“We remain committed to and are working hard in supporting the nation in its efforts to bounce back from the crisis even safer and stronger than ever,” Republic Cement CEO Nabil Francis said.

Holcim Philippines president and CEO John Stull said the company had completed health and safety controls against COVID-19 to protect its people and partners at its sites in line with government guidelines and best practices of global building materials leader LafargeHolcim Group. —DORIS DUMLAO-ABADILLA