Laguna Properties cited for raising housing standards

Laguna Properties Holdings, Inc. (LPHI) was recently cited by the National Housing Authority for introducing a building system which has raised standards in the housing sector.

A subsidiary of Ayala Land Inc., LPHI is a major player in the affordable housing market and was recently conferred the Kabalikat sa Pabahay Awards 2003 at Malacañang Palace for improving quality and efficiencies in construction through the Tex building system, particularly in the low-cost sector. It was the first time that such awards were given by key government agencies involved in housing headed by Secretary Mike Defensor, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

The awards gave due recognition to private companies, non-government organizations, local government units and other stakeholders that have made an impact on the housing sector.

The Tex building system was invented in Europe and made popular in the country by LPHI. It assures the homeowner of quality by pre-fabricating most key components in the factory site where they undergo strict inspection and quality control. At the construction site, the pre-cast parts are easily pieced together and assembled.

Manuel J. Colayco, LPHI president, disclosed: "The Tex system provides homeowners the assurance that the primary components of their home including the foundation, structural framing, perimeter walls and flooring system – are all manufactured and constructed according to specifications.

The ease in construction makes possible efficiencies in cost and the assurance of quality. Dodo Ocampo, LPHI head of construction management, relates that to complete one square meter of wall using traditional methods, it would take several men quite some time to assemble the 12.5 pieces of hollow blocks needed for such an area. Using the Tex system, it would take two-three men 15 minutes to put up one square meter of wall.

In addition, Text walls come in three designs which when used in combination aesthetically enhances the appearance of a home. Moreover, Text homes are flexible. In case of expansion, Tex walls panels can be disassembled and reused. According to Ocampo, walls are 90 percent reusable.

Tex homes also make use of reinforced concrete on metal deck supported by steel frames or reinformed concrete on pre-cast C-joist. This allows homes to be virtually termite-free.

Overall, the system used extensively by LPHI in both its affordable and higher-end lines has set new benchmarks in housing. Banking on the reliability of the system, LPHI homes that make use of Tex come with a 15-year warranty.

According to Colayco, LPHI is constantly in search of housing technology "that assures superior and consistent quality and which results in excellent values for ourr customers."

Government agencies involved in the Kabalikat sa Bahay Awards include the Housing and Urban Development Coordination Council, National Home Mortgage Finance Corp., National Housing Authority, Home Guaranty Corp., Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board and Home Development Mutual Fund.

Established in 1993, LPHI has produced close to 7,000 house-and-lot packages in its various development sites in the Philippines. These include Laguna, Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Cebu and Nueva Ecija. It recently ventured into residential condominiums as well as homes beyond the P1 million range in chosen developments in Antipolo and Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Its latest ventures include farm lots in Lipa City as well as affordable housing for soldiers in Cavite.