In response to the private sector’s appeal for government support of the local industry, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. advocates the incorporation of locally-produced building materials for upcoming infrastructure projects,
Last October 2023, the President met with the infrastructure cluster of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), led by businessman Sabin Aboitiz. During the meeting, prioritizing locally-sourced building materials was given emphasis, aiming to encourage both the government and the general public to patronize what the local industry has to offer.
The PSAC highlighted that the Philippines boasts talents and products of world-class quality, potentially surpassing those of neighboring countries.
Aboitiz further underscored, “Our advocacy is really to promote our buy local, Filipino-made products for Filipinos… It’s just fair for our government to take the lead, Sir, in also patronizing our own locally-made products.”
The President hailed the proposal as a positive step and directed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to work closely with the PSAC in compiling a list of construction materials for infrastructure projects.
He also directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to synchronize their guidelines with the preference for local materials, ensuring adherence to all prevailing laws and regulations.
With this, he expressed the significance of establishing clear specifications for the materials that the government intends to procure, in order to prevent potential conflicts in the future — the need to create balance between supply and demand.
The President stated that “We have to match the capacity and the demand. But again, if you can say that from now on, 100% of our (materials) come from the Philippines, magtatayo ng planta ‘yan (they need to build plants), but we need to make everything clear, if (that needs an) AO (Administrative Order) or some other form.”
PSAC assured that the local manufacturing industries responsible for producing cement, steel, and other construction materials adhere to national standards and are suitable for the country’s climate and other natural disasters.
At present, DTI Secretary Fred Pascual conveyed to the PSAC that the government has been supporting the “buy local, go local policy,” an initiative that fosters the promotion of local products within the country.
The PSAC assured the chief executive that local manufacturing industries producing cement, steel, and other construction materials conform with the national standards that could withstand the country’s climate and other natural disasters.
