CEMEX cites need for better infrastructure

MANILA, Philippines - “Build back better,” said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant Secretary Maria Catalina Cabral, referring to the newest battle cry of the agency in the next two years.

As speaker in a recent CEMEX conference of global innovation leaders, Cabral stated that the government has numerous projects in the pipeline to fulfill until 2016; however, there is an intense need for technology in building better roads and more efforts for the reinforcement of public-private partnerships (PPP) in building sustainable communities.

CEMEX, as a leader in global building solutions, expressed its commitment to helping the government build better infrastructures using its latest technology. Locally, CEMEX is known as the manufacturer of the only eco-labeled cement brands in the country such as Rizal Portland Super, Rizal Masonry Cement, APO Portland Premium, APO Masonry Cement, and APO Pozzolan. The company also provides quality ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and admixtures.

“In the next two years, we target to completely pave all the roads in the country,” added Cabral. “We want our roads to meet the international standards which will definitely improve the condition of our Philippine road network and safety performance.”

Cabral mentioned that after typhoon Yolanda’s brunt, roads and buildings need not only be restored but also be rebuilt using upgraded design and technology to make these calamity-resilient.

This year, CEMEX launched the Build Unity rehabilitation program for the typhoon-affected communities in Northern Cebu. Part of the program is building 88 houses in four Unity Villages in the city of Bogo and municipality of Daanbantayan. This project is in partnership with the respective local government units and Gawad Kalinga.

Recently, CEMEX also signed an agreement with the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), one of the largest and leading organizations in the country that address the concerns of the shelter industry, to guarantee a special price for SHDA members in order to contribute to the solution of the pending housing backlog issues.

CEMEX will provide SHDA’s member-developers with various cement products and building materials required for their 2014 development projects in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.