The Philippines will promote low-carbon cement production, alternative fuels and energy-efficient technologies across Southeast Asia as it assumes the presidency of the ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM) for 2026–2028, balancing environmental goals with the industry’s competitiveness.
John Reinier Dizon, president of the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP), was elected AFCM president during the federation’s 47th Council Meeting and 23rd Conference held October 14–16 in Bali, Indonesia.
Under the Philippine chairmanship, the federation will encourage the use of supplementary cementitious materials, technological innovation and business development to reduce the cement industry’s carbon footprint while meeting the region’s growing infrastructure needs.
The agenda also addresses persistent challenges facing manufacturers, including excess production capacity, volatile energy prices and increasingly stringent sustainability requirements. These pressures are forcing cement producers to improve operational efficiency while investing in lower-emission production methods.
For the Philippines and its regional neighbors, the transition presents both opportunities and risks. Greater adoption of alternative fuels and energy-efficient technologies could help reduce emissions and exposure to conventional energy costs. However, investments in new equipment and production processes may increase near-term expenses, particularly for manufacturers operating amid oversupply and intense market competition.
Dizon said the industry must take a long-term view of its responsibilities.
“We are caretakers of this industry. Our responsibility is to leave it better for future generations,” he said.
The AFCM represents cement industry associations from eight ASEAN countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The federation provides a platform for cooperation and knowledge-sharing as producers navigate common market and sustainability challenges.
Also elected were Roberto Martin Gerardo Javier, commercial vice president of Concreat Holdings Philippines, as AFCM secretary general, and CeMAP Executive Director Renato Baja as deputy secretary general.
The Philippine-led initiative will seek to align decarbonization with industrial growth. Its success will depend on whether regional manufacturers can adopt cleaner production methods without compromising affordability, supply reliability and their capacity to support infrastructure development and economic expansion.
Source: https://context.ph/2026/10/22/philippines-to-advance-low-carbon-cement-across-asean/
