Business sector to provide cheaper building materials

CEBU, Philippines - The business sector in Cebu said their members who manufacture construction materials, including cement, steel bars, galvanized iron sheets, among others, can offer lower prices for products bought in bulk to help in the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase after super typhoon Yolanda.

“Our member-manufacturers have agreed that they are willing to give it for a much cheaper price for purchases made in bulk,” said Lito Maderazo, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during the press briefing yesterday made by the Philippine Information Agency-7 at the MIP Lounge of Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base.

Maderazo said interested parties, including the government as well as private organizations, can contact the chamber if they are interested.

In order to prevent unreasonable increases in the prices of construction materials, Joji Villamor, information officer of the Department of Trade and Industry-7, said that their office has already recommended to their central office on the price freeze of these goods.

Currently, DTI-7 has put only basic commodities (laundry soap/detergent, coffee, noodles, canned sardines, pan de sal and processed milk) under price freeze.

“So far, wala pa mi nakadawat og feedback from our Central office kung i-apil ba ang construction materials sa price freeze. We are still waiting,” said Villamor during the said press briefing.

DTI-7 has served 58 notices of violation in Central Visayas to retailers for overpricing the goods under price freeze.

Meanwhile, CCCI-External Affairs and Research Division Vice President Antonio Chiu and CCCI Committee Chairman for Relief Operations Reagan King narrated how overwhelming the support of the business community in Cebu has been for the victims affected by the earthquake that struck Cebu and Bohol as well as those affected by the super typhoon.

The businessmen said that the chamber has been conducting several concerts in order to raise funds for the earthquake and typhoon victims.

In coordination with the Cebu provincial government, CCCI members were able to provide more than 40,000 food packs to typhoon victims in northern Cebu.

Maderazo added that the recent calamities could become a golden opportunity to provide better input in the fishing and farming industry.

“Those who rely on the coconut should resort to inter-cropping and our fishing practices should be re-evaluated because most of our practices are destructive,” he further said.  (FREEMAN)