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.