Filipino-owned construction materials company Buildrite Construction Chemicals is advocating greater use of homegrown technologies and stronger local expertise to help develop future-ready cities and world-class infrastructure in the Philippines.
At the recent BUILDRITE S.T.R.O.N.G. BUILDERS SUMMIT 2026, Derrick A. Tan, founder, president and chief executive officer of Buildrite Construction Chemicals, called on architects, engineers, contractors and government agencies to strengthen the country’s capabilities in construction technology and materials engineering.
Tan emphasized the need to move beyond looking to other countries as models for infrastructure development and instead cultivate Filipino innovation, technical knowledge and engineering expertise to create structures that reflect the Philippines’ own identity and capabilities.
“We don’t want to be a Singapore. We want to be a Philippines,” Tan said, underscoring his vision of building cities and infrastructure shaped by local expertise and suited to the country’s needs.
Advancing homegrown construction technologies
Highlighting the potential of Filipino-developed solutions, Tan cited Buildrite’s portfolio of nine internationally recognized patents and its range of advanced construction technologies that could support the country’s infrastructure development.
Among these are glass fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC), ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), root-resistant waterproofing systems and technologies associated with sponge cities, which integrate nature-based and engineered solutions to improve rainwater management and help mitigate urban flooding.
UHPC, in particular, offers high compressive strength and greater design flexibility, making it suitable for applications that demand both structural performance and architectural versatility.
Tan said Buildrite is prepared to support the industry through engineering design, fastening systems and specialized material solutions that can help translate innovative concepts into practical construction applications.
He stressed, however, that developing globally competitive infrastructure requires more than advanced materials. It also demands collaboration among architects, engineers, contractors, skilled workers, scientists, chemists, industrial designers, suppliers and government institutions.
Strengthening construction fundamentals
Beyond technological innovation, the summit underscored the importance of mastering fundamental construction practices, including waterproofing, coatings, tiling and concrete repair.
Tan noted that weaknesses in basic construction methods could compromise the durability, performance and long-term reliability of even the most sophisticated structures.
For the past 15 years, Buildrite has been promoting technical education among construction professionals, particularly in construction chemicals, materials engineering and proper application techniques.
Through its Magna Prime Campus, the company provides practical training in waterproofing, floor coatings, tiling and other specialized construction applications.
The initiative aims to strengthen technical proficiency, encourage standardized procedures and promote consistent workmanship across the construction industry.
Building a globally competitive Philippine industry
Anchored on the theme “Strengthening the Roots of the New Generation,” the BUILDRITE S.T.R.O.N.G. BUILDERS SUMMIT 2026 gathered industry leaders, ASEAN and APEC architects, government officials, international speakers and construction professionals to exchange knowledge and explore emerging building technologies.
The gathering emphasized the role of Filipino innovation, technical education and industry collaboration in advancing safer, smarter and more sustainable construction practices.
It also highlighted the importance of strengthening the capabilities of the next generation of construction professionals to meet evolving infrastructure demands and international standards.
For Buildrite, advancing the Philippine construction industry means combining locally developed material solutions with technical expertise and collaboration across disciplines.
Through these efforts, the company seeks to help transform ambitious architectural and engineering concepts into durable, sustainable and globally competitive structures, while contributing to a built environment that reflects Filipino ingenuity and identity.
ADVT.
This article is brought to you by Buildrite Summit.