SOME cement manufacturers are suspending work at their facilities as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
In disclosures to the stock exchange Friday, Holcim Philippines, Inc. and Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc. said they are temporarily halting production in their respective cement plants for the mean time.
For Holcim, it said operations have been suspended in plants, terminals and offices since last Tuesday. This covers the company’s cement factories in Bacnotan and Norzagaray, terminals in Calaca, Mabini and Manila, and dry mix factory in Parañaque.
A work-from-home scheme is also in place for employees at its head office in Taguig City and offices in Luzon.
“These (work disruptions) will remain in effect until the government lifts the community quarantine protocols,” it said. “These are unprecedented actions but necessary and critical to support the government’s efforts to combat the disease.”
But Holcim noted its operations in plants and terminals in Visayas and Mindanao are still ongoing.
For Cemex, production at its Solid Cement Plant in Antipolo City is on hold, and the delivery of cement products from the same plant is suspended until further notice.
“(Cemex) believes that these measures are consistent with protecting the health and safety of (Cemex)’s employees, contractors, customers and community…,” it said.
For now, only the company’s APO Cement plant in Naga, Cebu will operate and under “extraordinary mitigating measures.”
“(Cemex) will continue to work with its employees, customers and suppliers on how to manage the temporary stoppage of production at the Solid Cement Plant,” it said.
Luzon is under enhanced community quarantine until midnight of Apr. 13. During the period, the public is required to stay at home with the exemption of employees in basic services, essential goods and utility sectors. — Denise A. Valdez
