Cement manufacturer drives for mason skills development

CEBU, Philippines - Seeking to elevate the noble profession of masonry, a cement manufacturer aims to strengthen the skills development and recognition program for masons in the country to address the need for more skilled and qualified workers to do the job along with the Philippine construction boom.

This year, the country has enjoyed an upsurge of 32 percent in the construction of condominium buildings and other large-scale infrastructure.

Holcim Philippine Inc., a supplier of cement, aggregate, concrete and asphalt in the country, has committed itself to contribute in producing efficient and professionals masons through its corporate social responsibility program, the Holcim’s Galing Mason program.

Anchored on developing and recognizing the contribution of Filipino masons to holistic nation building, the Holcim’s Galing Mason program modifies its training component to further produce more skilled masons in the country.

This is in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Association of Construction and Informal Workers (ACIW) and the Philippine Contractors Association (PCA).

Holcim Philippines Inc. corporate social responsibility coordinator Veronica Viriña said that the vibrant growth construction industry demands for a growing number of masons.

She added that the Holcim’s Galing Mason program is designed to provide Filipinos with the necessary skills training with TESDA certification and increase their employability.

To be at par in other countries in the world, the program modules adopt the current requirements and standards of the global construction industry.

The Holcim’s Galing Mason program also involve teaching trainees the latest masonry techniques, methods and equipment while educating them with proper safety and professionalism in the workplace.

Since 2003, the program has trained and certified 4,607 masons nationwide of which majority of them are already employed.

TESDA Deputy Director General Teodoro Pascua said that training schools for masons should integrate the global standards into their programs in order to elevate the profession of masons in a higher scale.

He said that once certified according to international standards, masons are highly capable to work abroad.

“Ang gawain ng mga mason ay exposed din sa risk pero ang standards na dapat sundin ay hindi naman nasusunod. Dapat lang bigyan ng mataas na antas at pag-asa ang mga mason,” he said.

Pascua cited that there are 8,000 masons who are already trained in the country but have not availed of the TESDA certification that could help them enhance their skills proficiency, produce better work quality and get higher compensation.

He also encouraged Filipinos to take vocational and technical courses rather than just limiting themselves with baccalaureate programs.

TESDA Regional Director Rosanna Urdaneta said that they aim to bolster the key employment generators in the country which include the construction industry, tourism sector, and information technology-business process outsourcing industry.

She also acknowledged the lack of certified masons in the region and even pointed out that some Cebu-based establishments have to import TESDA-certified masons in Manila.

“We need to have some more. However, we get masons from other provinces and regions in the country especially in Manila when in fact, we have a lot of potential masons here to work for the fast-paced construction industry. The boom in the construction sector in the country will not be realized without these masons,” she stated.

Urdaneta cited that in Central Visayas, there are only 207 certified masons of which 66 are from Cebu.

To put the roles of masons in the spotlight with their unrecognized contribution in the national economy, Holcim and TESDA shall hold the 4th Holcim Galing Mason Awards to highlight the hardwork of outstanding masons throughout the country.

Cebu made history in 2007 when Sergio Barliso won during the first Holcim Galing Mason Awards. He was then followed by Rodante Andres of Capiz in 2009 and Eduardo Latap of NCR and Alejandro Tagle of Cagayan Valley in 2011.

The competition is open to all Filipino masons, male or female and a holder of a valid TESDA National Certificate of Masonry and the candidates must be a practicing mason of at least one year with no derogatory records or administrative infractions. /JOB (FREEMAN)