Holcim Philippines lauds DPWH for building solutions thrust

Building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. lauded the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) approval of a pavement technology that speeds up road infrastructure development, and expressed readiness in helping local contractors implement projects that use this innovative material.

The DPWH issued Department Order (DO) 134-2017 last November 22, which sets the standards for the use of roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavement for road construction.

RCC is a dry concrete mix constructed without forms, dowels or reinforcing steel and does not require finishing, the DO said. It added that RCC will be limited for use in highway projects with a maximum speed limit of 70 kilometers per hour and road networks which require fast reblocking time such as main thoroughfares and junction points.

Holcim Philippines President and CEO Sapna Sood welcomed the development and committed to continue supporting the national and regional agencies’ direction to use innovative building solutions in the government’s infrastructure drive.

“Building solutions are very important to the Philippines especially with the government investing heavily in infrastructure. The LafargeHolcim Group has an extensive experience in working with partners worldwide in developing such solutions to help them build better, and the DPWH and our business partners can count on Holcim Philippines to provide these here in the country,” she said.

Sood noted that roads built with RCC can be opened to traffic faster and are more cost-efficient compared with those that use conventional concrete and can help the DPWH meet its road infrastructure targets.

She added that Holcim Philippines is ready to help build up the capacity of local contractors in using the new material leveraging on the LafargeHolcim Group’s knowledge in supporting projects all over the world that used RCC.

As part of efforts to better contribute to the country’s infrastructure drive, Holcim Philippines ramped up the roll out of new building solutions such as one-day concrete technology ideal for quick road repairs in highly-urban areas. It also brought international road infrastructure experts for talks with key stakeholders on innovative building trends such as Thin Concrete Pavement. The company likewise partnered previously with DPWH on a project to improve road building in the country.