Leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. recently sealed agreements in Davao to supply the cement requirements of a leading construction group and to support a government program for skills training as part of its commitment to support the city’s progress.
Holcim Philippines will provide up to 400,000 metric tons of cement to the Davao Constructors Association Center, Inc. (DCACI), one of the leading building groups in southern Mindanao with 179 members. Holcim Philippines and DCACI signed the partnership on April 24, renewing their supply engagement in 2018 which involved 320,000 tons of cement.
DCACI President Antonio Y. Uy thanked Holcim Philippines for the partnership and lauded the Company for introducing its new high-performance blended cement Solido as a better alternative to ordinary portland cement for infrastructure projects.
“The continued partnership of Holcim and DCACI is like Solido, which gets stronger over time. Solido It is a great innovation because of its environmental and cost advantage over portland cement which helps us take care of nature while having savings,” he added.
Holcim Philippines also signed a partnership on April 23 with the Region XI offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA) for training on forklift operations, masonry, carpentry, welding and plumbing for the community members of its Davao plant.
Holcim Davao will provide funding assistance and host the training to be administered by TESDA for 25 beneficiaries, who will be certified as skilled workers. DSWD will select the trainees from barangays near Holcim Davao and provide assistance in mentoring and processing support for the employment of the beneficiaries.
The collaboration is part of Holcim Davao’s Stakeholder Engagement Program, which aims to support community development through various industrial and construction-related skills training, livelihood, and employment.
Holcim Davao Plant Manager Xavier Kennedy said the recent partnerships are timely and relevant especially as the city’s construction industry is expected to sustain its healthy rise over the medium term.
“These partnerships are a reflection of our commitment to support the development of our communities and the rest of Davao. These programs provide our partners with a steady supply of cement and equip members of the community with needed skills to participate in the city’s healthy growth,” he added.
“The partnership is truly helpful to people. This was made possible in order to enhance and upgrade the skills and living standards of beneficiaries from the identified neighboring barangays. This will also increase their employability while strongly supporting the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program,” said Ernesto S. Nadera, the acting chief of the Korea-Philippines Vocational Training Center of TESDA.
