MANILA, Philippines — Cement manufacturers are hopeful of a recovery in cement demand this year, with growth expected to be supported by government projects.
Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines Inc. (CeMAP) president John Reinier Dizon told reporters that the group has a cautiously optimistic outlook for cement demand this year.
“Hopefully, it grows. Right now, we are not seeing it yet,” he said.
He said cement demand dipped by around three percent in the fourth quarter last year.
Earlier, he said CeMAP has seen a slowdown in the government’s cement demand since the third quarter, amid the flood control controversy.
Revelations of corruption issues in flood control projects prompted the government to put on hold some infrastructure projects and implement stricter project validation in the third quarter last year.
A decline in cement demand was also seen amid delays in relation to licenses needed by contractors.
Dizon said the CeMAP expects cement demand to grow in line with the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
“As GDP grows, construction, we should see it growing also,” he said.
The government is aiming for five to six percent growth this year.
From January to September 2025, average economic growth was at five percent, below the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent growth target.
Dizon said the approval of this year’s national budget is a positive sign, with government infrastructure projects expected to drive cement demand.
He also said government projects have a multiplier effect.
“Once they build the roads, they put all the necessary infrastructure, there’s a domino effect in the economy for housing, for commercial, etc,” he said.
He said building investor or business confidence is key.
“Once the government projects kick in, I think that will restore also the private side,” he said.
For now, he said the group is taking a wait-and-see approach with the peak season for construction expected from February to April.
Source: https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/01/22/2502540/cement-demand-recover-year-cemap
