PrimeBMD: A force for good, ally in recovery

Written by Amy R. Remo

In the face of a highly unprecedented crisis, it rose to the challenge to become a force for good.

Even at the onset of the pandemic last year, when economies globally were starting to reel from the massive disruptions and difficulties that upended lives and businesses, Razon-led Prime Metro BMD Corporation (PrimeBMD) has been quick to step up to lend its expertise, support and assistance—not only for its own employees, but also for the country.

As early as April last year, PrimeBMD, a company engaged in infrastructure development, had begun the retrofitting of existing structures into quarantine and isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients, starting with the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. This was meant to beef up the Philippines’ healthcare infrastructure which, like many other countries, has been unprepared for the onslaught of the pandemic.

“The Razon group has been very proactive in helping the government early on in this pandemic; and as the group’s infrastructure development company, we did not hesitate to assist and provide support in the best way we can. We’re fortunate to have dedicated and selfless staff and workers who were really determined to finish building the instant hospitals at the quickest time possible,” said Sebastian Arsenio R. Lacson, chief executive officer of PrimeBMD.

“The initiative highlighted the need for government and private sector cooperation in mitigating the impact of the pandemic on our health system, and if asked to do (so) again, we would be more than willing to extend a helping hand,” he added.

The Ninoy Aquino Stadium was among the first to be retrofitted by PrimeBMD into an isolation facility for COVID-19 patients.

Completed facilities

After 18 months, PrimeBMD has already much to show for. During that short period, it has also converted the Philippine Ports Authority Cruise Ship Terminal, which provided quarantine spaces for returning seafarers and overseas workers, and completed the 600-bed Solaire-Pagcor Mega Quarantine Facility, the biggest quarantine facility project it has embarked on.

Aside from isolation facilities, the group converted three event halls namely Enderun, Palacio De Manila, and the Mall of Asia Arena.

“The latest project we completed is the mega vaccination center at the Nayong Pilipino in Parañaque, and has the capacity to administer 15,000 jabs per day. Funded by the ICTSI Foundation, the vaccination site features drive-thru vaccination booths and ambulatory courts for walk-ins,” Lacson added.

For these initiatives, PrimeBMD—a joint venture between Prime Infrastructure Holdings, Inc. and BMD Group, one of Australia’s largest privately-owned construction companies—was recognized as the winner of one of six Grand Stevie Awards, as well as a Gold Stevie Award in the Most Valuable Corporate Response category of the Asia Pacific Stevie Awards.

‘Better lives, resilient economies’

These facilities are, no doubt, a clear testament to how deeply committed PrimeBMD is to its mission of building better lives and resilient economies. After all, PrimeBMD embarked on these projects despite facing difficulties dealt by the pandemic. Like other companies, it also had to roll out new health and safety protocols, innovate, recalibrate, restrategize and retool within the organization.

“(The year) 2020 proved to be challenging for businesses, particularly for our sector. With the global pandemic and lockdown restrictions limiting movements and causing delays and disruption to operations, the industry suffered tremendously. To cope with these challenges, we developed a detailed continuity plan to sustain our ongoing business operations while supporting and prioritizing the health and safety of our people and stakeholders,” Lacson said.

“PrimeBMD’s top priority is the health and safety of our employees and business partners. We mobilized our resources to support and assure the livelihood of our people. The safe continuation of our operations is critical to maintaining the employment of our people and supporting economic recovery… By putting in place controls and measures and consistently working to ensure we have necessary supplies and equipment, we are able to continue to maintain a healthy and safe workplace and operate effectively to sustain the business,” he added.

The rapid construction of quarantine facilities showed PrimeBMD’s commitment to support the government in these trying times.

Force for good

To support business continuity, PrimeBMD is also adopting strategies that will become a key driver of revenue and business value, leveraging on digital trends, and innovating business models that will enable it to “thrive in the digital era, get a competitive edge during recovery, and achieve a healthy and sustainable growth.”

“We’re keen to establish a stronger presence in the Luzon infrastructure space, as well as start doing more projects in the Visayas, which we are very bullish about. We’re also expanding our dredging capability as well as moving up the value chain where merited, such as the provision of certain pre-cast components for the various tunneling projects currently in the market,” Lacson added.

In ensuring the sustainability of its business and addressing the needs of a pandemic-ridden country, PrimeBMD is indeed stepping up to become a force for good. Add to that, of course, is the fact that infrastructure is seen by many quarters as a key component to the country’s recovery.

“At PrimeBMD, we aim to build better lives and resilient economies through critical infrastructure. Our commitment to supporting and helping the government augment its COVID response through rapid construction of healthcare facilities not only reflects this purpose but is a testament to the crucial role that infrastructure development plays in revitalizing economies and stimulating postpandemic recovery,” Lacson concluded.

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