Filipino Cement Companies Support “Build Lokal” Campaign

With 2020 behind us, many in the cement industry are preparing themselves for a surge in demand in the coming months.

The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) and the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) are combining their efforts to support the recently launched Build Lokal Campaign of the Department of Trade and Industry . The Build Lokal campaign is based on the 2009  “Buy Pinoy, Buy Local” campaign that was launched by the FPI through Administrative Order No. 227.

The CeMAP building. Photo courtesy of Business World.

Build Lokal, on the other hand, actively encourages those in the industry to prioritize  Filipino-manufactured building materials over foreign imports. In late 2020, both CeMAP and FPI actively campaigned for supporting locally manufactured materials to help the economy  and protect the industry from unfair importer practices.

“CeMAP fully supports the DTI’s commitment to help rebuild the nation through building with locally manufactured cement,” said CeMAP executive director Cirilo Pestano.

Supporting Filipino-owned businesses is crucial for helping the nation recover. It would boost local growth , sustain jobs, and protect the Filipino people. It lessens the safety risks that come with accepting foreign building material imports, some of which were found to be of substandard quality based on Philippine National Standards.

In addition to this, the national government is also promoting the local industries with the recently passed General Appropriations Act (GAA), wherein all government agencies are now mandated to prioritize local building materials for infrastructure projects and all other activities.

FPI Chairman Jesus Arranza praised it as a significant show of support for the nation’s local businesses. “The Philippine building materials industry is grateful for the government’s deep commitment to helping our industries rise from our current struggles,” said FPI Chairman Jesus Arranza.

Helping local businesses thrive in this uncertain economy is an act that everyone should involve themselves in for the good of the economy and the future of the country.