Philippines: Ernesto Ordoñez, the president Ernesto Ordoñez Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP), has said sales in the first three months of 2016 rose by 13% year-on-year to 6.43Mt in the first three months of 2016 from 5.7Mt in the same period in 2015. It was driven by strong construction activity in the country according to the Philippines Star newspaper.
“Demand will continue to be strong, especially with presumptive president Duterte saying that infrastructure will remain a high priority during his administration,” said Ordoñez. He added that the local cement industry benefitted from the higher infrastructure budget being allocated for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). CEMPA forecast that construction growth in both the pubic and private sectors will remain strong in 2016.