Pioneer Float Glass Manufacturing Inc. (PFGMI), Puyat Steel Corporation (PSC), and Sonic Steel Industries Inc. (SSII) have joined the Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) and Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) in expressing full support of the government’s prioritization of local products and construction materials for infrastructure and public works projects, as provided for in the recently signed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.
Since the beginning of the crisis, CeMAP and PISI, whose members include PSC and SSII, and PFGMI have stood in solidarity with government leaders and key industry stakeholders in striking a delicate balance between navigating the health crisis and keeping the economy afloat.
Through this partnering effort and unwavering commitment, many Filipino jobs were preserved and this placed the country on the road to economic recovery, the groups said.
With the use of local building materials, such as cement, steel, and glass for the ongoing Build Build Build program, these industries can fully help support the nation’s economic recovery by continuing to generate employment, contributing to the national income through taxes, and ensuring that the multiplier effect of supporting local businesses is fully taken advantage of, they added.
“The Philippine building materials industries, especially the cement industry, is confident and ready to ensure that our Philippine infrastructure projects will have adequate materials supply from companies that are proud to be manufacturing locally,” said CeMAP Executive Director Cirilo Pestaño.
“Likewise, the steel industry is ready to assure that our local projects will receive the best quality of building materials, including Philippine steel, available for the government’s ongoing and upcoming projects. As an industry, we are ready to do our part and play a key role in the swift economic recovery of the nation,” PISI President Ronald C. Magsajo also added.
PSC Executive Vice President Eugenio R. Puyat II said: “PSC fully supports the government’s prioritization of Philippine manufactured products and construction materials for infrastructure and public works projects. Philippine funded projects as well as all other projects must give preference to Philippine manufactured products as long as it meets quality standards required.”
“In solidarity with the cement and steel industry, PFGMI as the leading domestic manufacturer of float glass in the Philippines, guarantees availability of glass products of the highest quality to its key customers, which includes the downstream wholesale glass supply market, to support domestic demand for institutional, industrial, and residential glass products,” remarked PFGMI President and CEO Paul Vincent Go.