TYPHOON-AFFECTED areas such as the Bicol Region, Isabela, and Cagayan provinces will have ample supply of cement products to start the rehabilitation of infrastructure and houses, cement makers said on Monday as they dismissed the possibility of any shortage.
In a statement, Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) said its member companies are finding workarounds on the transport issues posed by damaged roads and infrastructure due to consecutive typhoons.
As a result of the wide-scale damage to infrastructure and houses caused by the typhoons, the group said rehabilitation efforts would create higher demand for construction materials.
“The need to rebuild and repair will result in an increased need for construction materials, including cement, in Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley) and 5 (Bicol Region),” the group said.
Citing news reports, the group said Typhoon Rolly had damaged more than 137,000 houses in Albay and Catanduanes.
“In the worst hit province of Catanduanes alone, the super typhoon affected 35,000 families, destroyed 10,000 houses and severely damaged 19,000 others,” the group said.
CeMAP also said that in Region 2, the government reported that damage caused by Typhoon Ulysses to infrastructure amounted to P5.91 billion.
Meanwhile, the group said its member companies are also preparing their relief response efforts and corporate social responsibility projects for Cagayan, Isabela, and Bicol Region.
“CeMAP is one with the nation in the rebuilding efforts in these severely damaged areas,” the group said.
“Cement is considered a prime commodity and domestic production plays a vital role in keeping domestic economies vibrant by creating jobs and generating tax revenues both directly and through its ancillary industries,” it added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave