DMCI allots P18.3 B for Semirara

Consunji-led DMCI Holdings Inc. is eyeing to infuse P18.3 billion worth of investments to put up a cement plant in Semirara Island in Antique, and other relevant facilities as it banks on the expected boost of the infrastructure industry in the Philippines.

Victor Limlingan, managing director of DMCI Holdings, revealed the company's plan to construct a cement plant with a capacity of 1.7 million metric tons (MT) per year, near the mining site of its subsidiary, Semirara Mining Corp.

The investment will also include two thermal power plants near the cement plant, each with 15-megawatt capacity, and grinding facilities in Calaca, Batangas and Iloilo and Zamboanga, each with a capacity of 400,000 MT.

One of DMCI's advantages in putting up a cement plant is its mining operations in Semirara, from where it can source raw materials, such as coal and limestone, Limlingan said.

"The other advantage of this is that we are the only cement company which will be beside the sea. Most of the cement plants are in the mountains. That means we are strategically located within the Visayas so we can distribute to the whole Philippines, we can even go to the Asean countries," he said.

The company official said DMCI is also eyeing Calaca, Batangas as one of the sites for its grinding facilities as it would enable the company to serve the market in Metro Manila.

Limlingan said DMCI has already started discussions with Danish engineering firm, FLSmidth & Co. A/S for the construction of the plant. The company is targeting to start the operations of its grinding plants in two years and its key cement plant, in three years.

"It takes years to put up a cement plant. So what we'll do is we'll put up the finishing (grinding) plant, and then import the clinker from Vietnam or Indonesia," he said.

"So the idea is like what the Chinese do, first import the good and sell it, and when you have a market, you integrate backward and produce it yourself," he added.