Philippines: 1H16 sales rise 10.7%

Philippine cement manufacturers reported a 10.7 per cent increase in sales to 13.2Mt for the first six months of the year. This increase has been supported by government rises in infrastructure spending and the private sector engaging more heavily in construction activities.

President of the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP), Ernesto Ordoñez, revealed that the growth rate seen in 1H16 is better than the “moving average increase of 10 per cent in the last five years, eight per cent for the last 10 years and five per cent for the last 15 years.” Mr Ordoñez attributed the “robust growth” to the “huge budget increase of the Department of Public Works and Highways, continued private sector confidence in government which motivates cement use, and the relatively conductive weather.”

Cement sales rose by 8.8 per cent to 6.76Mt in the 2Q16 alone, compared to 6.21Mt in 2Q15.