Holcim to launch sustainable construction advocacy

MALOLOS CITY—Holcim Cement, one of the largest cement producer in the

country is set to launch a sustainable construction program in

Bulacan.

This came as the province suffered from flooding last month  that left

more than P500-Million in damages and led the provincial government to

place Bulacan under the state of calamity.

Gillian Cortez, a public relations specialist of Holcim Cement based

in Norzagaray town said that while their company is not involved in

construction, they felt the moral responsibility in introducing

sustainability.

“Sustainable construction is everybody’s concern because we need

resources in the future,” she said noting that the program will be

formally launched in the province next month.

She admitted that “cement production will never be green, but we can

make it responsible,” and stressed that concrete can be recycled.

Cortez noted that since commercial production of cement started in the

Bulacan more than 70 years, demand for cement, a primary ingredient

for concrete continue to grow.

Records showed that materials used in constructing houses before the

1940’s were primarily wood.

But it has changed since the discovery of limestone in Norzagaray town

and the commercial operations of Republic Cement, the first commercial

cement plant in the country which is now under the La Farge

Corporation.

Cortez said that Augustinian friars and local businessmen started the

commercial production of cement in Norzagaray after the second World

War.

Since then, she said that culture of construction has shifted to

cement and concrete.

At present, there ar least five giant cement plants in Norzagaray town.

“As our economy grows, there will always be demand for cement because

its discovery has changed the culture in construction of structures,”

she said .

Like Holcim Cement, Republic Cement’s production facilities is located

at Nrozagaray, a town in eastern Bulacan which is home to three other

giant cement plants.

Cortez also noted that based on 2010 data, the country has a backlog

of 3.75-M in low coast housing, and 1.2-M in single detach houses.

“If we will not implement sustainable construction, we will not be

able to address black logs in housing,” she said and explained that

sustainable construction involves utilization of available raw

materials, and not just cement and concrete. 

Bulacan bats for green technology

MALOLOS CITY—The provincial government of Bulacan bats for green

technology and demanded that told subdivision developers in the

province to implement the same in housing projects.

Arlene Pascual, head of the Provincial Planning and Development Office

(PPDO) told businessmen who participated in a recent forum that

developers must study and implement how to use green technologies

being utilized in the United States and Europe.

She said that utilization of green technologies can be as simple as

deigning the house based on there the wind blows.

“We have to understand that there is climate change and all we can do

is adapt to make our communities resilient,” Pascual said.

She said that adaptation to climate change along with disaster risk

reduction are two of the major policies crafted and being implemented

by the provincial government.

Pascual cited technologies being implemented in Venice, a city which

usually submerge during high tide.

She said that Venicians found way to construct houses that follows the

sea water rise.

“They have houses that literally floats,” she said.

Other examples of green technologies for building constructions is the

design of the house.

Pascual said that simple architectural design wherein houses are built

with large windows facing normal wind patterns.

She said that following wind pattern in constructing houses will allow

more air to make the house cooler and reduce energy consumption.

The same is true when houses are built with large windows which allows

more natural light and reduce use of energy.

Other possible green technology includes rainwater harvesting.

The said technology allows catching of rainwater and impounding it on

drums for latwer utilization.

Harvested rainwater can be used for cleaning the houses or washing

equipment, vehicles and other others.  It can also be used to water

plants.

Pascual said that utilization of rain water not only saves water but

help prevents flooding.

Earlier, former Environment Secretary Bebet Gozun said that using

light colored paint in houses and other structures can help reduce

impacts of climate change.

She said that light colored roofs can reflect heat back to atmosphere,

while dark colored paint used on roofs attracts more heat.

Austerity to mark Bulacan’s annual Singkaban Fiesta

MALOLOS CITY—This year’s Singkaban Fiesta in Bulacan will be marked by austerity as the province still reels from calamity brought by floods spawned by the southwest monsoon and typhoons Helen and Igme.

The celebrations will start on Saturday and will end on September 15, which will be highlighted by the annual observance of the opening of the Malolos Congress.

The opening on Saturday will be cover the awarding of recognition to outstanding barangays and village workers in the province.

Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said they slashed the budget for the annual Singkaban Fiesta to P2 million from last year’s P10 million.

He said the reduction of the festival’s budget is partly dictated by the fact that the province is still trying to get on its feet after the provincial government placed it under a state of calamity last month.

“The state of calamity remains and we are still assisting our fellow Bulakenyos to get back on their feet,” Alvarado said.

He explained that the province cannot afford a grand celebration this year as it will look like an insult to Bulakenyos hit by calamities.

As the biggest festival in the province, Singkaban Fiesta from September 8 to 15 used to be celebrated with pomp and grandeur showcasing the colorful culture and history of the province.

It is usually marked with street parades coupled with street dancing and other cultural presentations.

But this year, the provincial government decided to reduce the cultural presentations and give more importance to trade fairs.

Meanwhile, the opening of the annual festival will be highlighted by the Gawad Galing Barangay(GGB) awarding ceremony.

The Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) the secretariat of the GGB said five outstanding barangays will be feted along with barangay chairs, and councilmen.

Also to be awarded are outstanding barangay health workers, tanods, mother leaders, Lingkod Lingap sa Nayon, and Barangay Training and Employment Coordinators.

“This is one way of showing our sincere gratitude to the people who in times of needs will always be willing to assist our fellow Bulakenyos.

Sila ‘yung mga taong umulan, umaraw, kahit disoras ng gabi, na kakatok ng kapitbahay para magbigay ng tulong. Sila ‘yung mga taong madalas hindi nabibigyan ng tamang pagkilala kaya ngayon gusto nating ibigay sa kanila kung ano ‘yung nararapat para sa kanila at maipadama na para sa atin, mahalaga sila,” said Alvarado.

He added that recognizing outstanding barangays in the province will contribute to better public service as they will serve as inspiration and models to other barangay officials.