Saturday, May 24, 2008 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
THE rising prices of oil and basic commodities are challenging the building and construction industry in the country to produce and design materials that are innovative, cheaper and still of good quality.
Edward Diamonon, Worldbex Services Inc. (WSI) vice president, said that new, beautiful, practical and economical products have been created to fit the needs of Filipinos who suffering from the effects of price increases.
While timber is now “very expensive” in the market, he said he is grateful for the production of synthetic man-made and chemically-processed materials.
“(By) synthetic, we (mean) panels that are not real wood and granite that is not real granite. This helps bring down the construction costs,” he said. “(Yet) these materials are very good-looking, practical and durable.”
WSI executive director Francisco Flameño, an architect who provides consultancy services to companies, said steel bars have also become very expensive.
Savings
He said a mechanical coupler has been developed to join two big steel bars, a move that gives the builder a 25- to 30-percent savings. This “new innovation” is already out in the market after it was tested and approved by top structural engineers in Manila, he said.
He also added that a certain metal is developed to substitute aluminum and modify curtain wall systems at lower costs.
Diamonon and Fla-meño joined yesterday other construction leaders in the opening of the 6th Philippine Building and Construction Exposition (Philbex), the local version of Worldbex, at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).
Aside from Philbex, the WSI also simultaneously held the Cebu Auto Show (CAS) and Cebu Foods and Beverages Exposition (Cefbex) at the CICC.
In an interview, Flameño said that because of rising prices, the building sector has to be innovative and develop designs that encourage the use of cheap materials.
“Architects can come to our show and find out what these materials are as one product can be used in many ways,” he said.
Still upbeat
He said the building industry is also affected by the rising price of oil, which is used in the production of some materials, like ceramic.
Still, Diamonon said the construction and industry sectors will remain upbeat this year as more and more people, including overseas Filipino workers, want to provide a good home for their families.
Flameño stressed that the sector’s growth can be sustained but he cannot predict how it will develop after five years.
“The (2010) election is coming. Developers are waiting to see who will be elected and what new policies will be made that will affect or help them. With a new administration, there are usually changes in several policies,” he explained.
WSI gathered more than 300 local and international exhibitors-about 120 for Philbex, at least 130 for Cefbex, and some 50 for CAS-for the three-in-one event that aims to provide venue for product innovation and business matching opportunities.
Highlights include various seminars, shows and competition for each event.
Jill Ang, WSI managing director, said organizers are expecting more than 60,000 people to visit the exposition. (NRC)
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