DTI mulls permanent ban on asbestos in construction

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has created a study group that will look into the possibility of permanently banning the use of asbestos as a component of construction materials.

"We have set up a group to study the policy options available for our government to address the problem of asbestos, to be headed by the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines and the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS)," DTI Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal said in a speech at a recent product launch by James Hardie Philippines.

"If legislation is necessary, and I do believe it is, we shall prepare it in cooperation with the private sector and consumer organizations," he added.

Cristobal, who heads the BPS, said the move was prompted by the thrust of James Hardie Philippines of introducing innovative yet highly affordable products.

During the affair held last week at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City, James Hardie introduced the newest product called "Hardiplank Select Cedarmill", described by the firm’s president John Balass as "an ideal external cladding for steel and timber frame construction, or as overlay for cement."

"The innovations your company introduces through its products, particularly those free of asbestos, are precisely the kind of technology that the government wants to promote. Thus, in the DTI, you have a partner in the cause to protect consumers from products that contain chemicals threatening their health and safety," he said.

He lamented that the Philippines lags behind in upgrading its products to world-class standards.

Cristobal disclosed that the Philippine National Standard has listed only about 1,760 products from switches to refrigerators to construction materials for having passed quality tests that ensure the safety of consumers, compare to Malaysia which has 3,000 and aiming for 10,000 by year 2010.

The benchmark for a country to be considered developed is 10,000 standards, the DTI official said.

"Product standards will be the main gauge of whether Philippine products can enter, or will be prevented from entering other markets," Cristobal stressed. "It is high time we take a very serious look at standards."

He also said that DTI has started drawing up an aggressive strategy program for product standards, tapping the best and brightest minds" in the field of product standards.

"What we need are more companies like James Hardie that have the vision and the courage to invest in research and development to elevate (product) standards," Cristobal added.

He also cited James Hardie for introducing into the Philippines modern technology and capital and for acknowledging that the "work ethic, talent and skills of the Filipino worker is worth investing in."

On the same occasion, Balass also announced the launching of the firm’s first ever design competition dubbed "Innovations: The James Hardie Architectural Design Awards." Balass expressed optimism that Hardiplank will be greatly acceptable in the local market, in the same manner it has been in the United States.

An architect Balass identified only as Balce has used Hardiplank "with success" in his Tagaytay Highlands project, while several other architects and developers "have been innovative and very creative with its use."

"We believe that it is a product that offers strength, durability, space and beauty to the Filipino homeowner, and we believe that it offers excellent value for money as well," he said.