DMCI founder David Consunji passes away
By Arra B. Francia, Reporter
CONSTRUCTION tycoon David M. Consunji died on Monday at the age of 95.
The founder and chairman of DMCI Holdings, Inc. was surrounded by close family and relatives at the time of his passing, his family confirmed on Tuesday.
“A beloved husband and father, DM built landmarks and redefined cityscapes for generations of Filipinos. He transformed the local construction industry by valuing not the quick profit but the satisfaction of doing one’s work well, honestly and proudly,” according to the family’s statement.
Mr. Consunji was a consistent name in the Forbes Philippines Rich List, ranking 6th in the 2017 edition with an estimated fortune of $3.68 billion.
He had graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree in civil engineering in 1946. He passed the board exam on the same year.
He started his career as a teacher in Bataan and then as a concrete inspector for Streiff and Kuenzle. Mr. Consunji’s first major project was to design the four-storey Marcelo Rubber Co. building in Malabon in 1948.
In 1954, the engineer founded his own contracting business called DM Consunji, Inc., just eight years after his graduation. With just P3 million in capital at the time of its establishment, Mr. Consunji grew the company into what is now a conglomerate with construction, engineering, mining, and real estate interests.
In 1995, he founded DMCI Holdings, Inc. in order to consolidate all his businesses. Its subsidiaries include the original company, DM Consunji, Inc. as well as DMCI Project Developers, Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corp., DMCI Power Corp., and DMCI Mining Corp. The company is now valued at around P205 billion and is listed at the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Mr. Consunji, known as “DM,” stepped down from the company’s operations in 2014, handing down the reins to his son Isidro A. Consunji as chairman and president, but was still given the honorary title of chairman emeritus.
The elder Consunji garnered various awards during the span of his career. He was named as Meralco Awardee in the field of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In 1982, he joined the roster of 10 outstanding civil engineers awarded by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, and then received an honorary doctorate by his alma mater the year after.
Most recently, Mr. Consunji was given the most distinguished alumnus award by the UP Alumni Association in 2016.
Other than his business accomplishments, Mr. Consunji also lent his services to the government, serving as the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways for five years during the term of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Mr. Consunji’s remains now lie at the Capilla de San Francisco of Sanctuario de San Antonio Parish, McKinley Road, Forbes Park in Makati City. The family has advised that viewing will be allowed until Friday, Sept. 8.
His body is scheduled to be interred the following day at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City after the 9:30 a.m. mass at the aforementioned church.
In addition, Mr. Consunji’s family requested that rather than sending flowers to the deceased, donations be made instead to the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc. and Orani Suhay Foundation, Inc. in Mr. Consunji’s name.
