The Cebu Provincial Government’s drive to raise more revenue for Cebu has found another innovative expression in Gov. Gwen Garcia’s latest program called “Sugbo Semento” which will kick off this month.
Under the program, the Capitol will purchase cement in bulk directly from at least four cement manufacturers in the province without precluding other cement firms from joining in the future.
Private contractors who are or will be in the future undertaking Capitol-funded projects in Cebu are or will be made, as part of their contract, to purchase cement from the Capitol’s Sugbo Semento program for small profit margin.
During a meeting at the Capitol on March 14, Governor Garcia convened officials of cement firms and contractors and presented the prices submitted by cement producers to the Capitol, which range from P145 to P190 per bag, depending on cement type.
“The contractors have the choice of where to withdraw the cement. You can withdraw from multiple plants under one purchase order,” Governor Garcia said.
Roberto Javier, vice president of Cemex Holdings Philippines, operator of Apo Cement in the City of Naga; Belgium Consul Enrison Benedicto, CEO of Mabuhay Filcement Inc. based in San Fernando; Tsutomo Hirobe, VP of Taiheiyo Cement based in San Fernando; and Cathy Chua, Executive VP of Century Peak Corp. based in Pinamungajan were among those who joined the governor in the meeting.
“One of our philosophy in the company is to contribute to society. It is very much honor to invite us with this project (sic),” Hirobe told Sugbo News.
An agreement among the Capitol, cement firms, and contractors shall be signed in the coming days to properly define the rules that shall govern the program.
“Dili na man mi mamuhunan sa semento kay ang Capitol na man maoy mo-pay on our behalf, which will be deducted from the contract amount that the Capitol will be paying to us,” Gilbert Bryan Eya of Rovilla Construction told Sugbo News.
“So all in all, win-win ni sya nga situation when it comes to the Capitol, for the people, and for us as contractors,” he added.
Also in attendance were Anjo Gonzalodo of Gonzalodo Construction, James Limchesing of Shalom Construction, Chuck Lopez of RCV Construction, Jonathan Quirante of Quirante Construction, Ian Galeos of Soccor Construction Corporation, and Gavino Umali of FGB, among others.
To facilitate easier transactions, contractors will be using QR-coded purchase orders in getting their cement requirements from the Capitol. This technology has proved efficient and effective in the Capitol other programs such as Sugbo Negosyo and Dasig Sugbo transactions. | Babie Jane Revecoy