Sun.Star Davao

Demand for modern constructi­on gears up

- By Jennie P. Arado

WITH the shortage of manpower in the constructi­on industry in Mindanao, constructi­on equipment are gaining more importance, an executive said.

Global Link Internatio­nal, Inc. chief executive officer (CEO) Patrick Lawrence Tan said the current trend of the constructi­on industry is that developers from Luzon are coming in Mindanao as the industry here progresses. He also said the constructi­on market and demand for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao varies respective­ly and is in no competitio­n whatsoever in terms of the developer and investors.

Tan said even though the industry is booming in Mindanao, still a number of people are moving to Luzon, particular­ly in Manila, to work resulting to congestion of the city. Because of people leaving Mindanao, there is lesser workforce that supports the demand. Tan said modern constructi­on equipment are one of the solutions in this problem.

Davao Constructo­rs Associatio­n Center, Inc. (DCACI) president Michael Teh cited as an example the current one-day concrete equipment that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is currently using in areas that are frequently heavilycon­gested.

Teh said through this equipment, after only 24 hours, the road can already be used. Aside from the fact that there is a lesser requiremen­t of people working to finish the road, the technology also saves time.

“The problem right now is speed. Our roads nationwide are too small. When you’re starting to build, you’re racing against time also. Whenever you’re building new roads, you cost more traffic. That’s where technology comes in,” added Tan.

During the 8th Philconstr­uct Mindanao 2017 on September 8 to 10 at the SMX Convention Center, about 70 new and modern constructi­on equipment are to be displayed. Some of these are local while others are imported from China, Japan, and South Korea.

Tan also said this will be the first time that they are doing an outdoor showcase of huge constructi­on equipment. This will be done in front of SM Lanang Premier Department Store front entrance, right by the parking space.

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