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Holcim introduces PROSOLUTIONS to help partners build better amid construction boom

Much is expected of the construction sector as the government implements an ambitious plan to invest up to P8 trillion in upgrading infrastructures all over the Philippines by 2022.

To better support the wave of construction activity, building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. has started projects to raise its cement production capacity to 12 million metric tons by 2019 from the current 10 million metric tons.

While Holcim Philippines is continuously improving its ability to supply this important material, the company is dedicated to having a more positive impact beyond providing cement to business partners and customers as they take on the enormous building challenge.

Holcim Philippines is committed to demonstrating to its construction partners that innovations in building materials, from structural to finishing applications, play a key role in helping the local sector not just complete more projects but deliver these faster, more durably and cost-effectively.

“We are everyday committed to foster improving building and construction in the Philippines. There’s a lot more beyond just building materials that Holcim is now providing through its services, training an accompaniment of our partners and customers in the construction industry with clear goal to bring them more value, convenience and expertise from design to successful execution, be it a simple but important project such as a dream house of a Filipino family or a massive building program on roads or infrastructure,” said Holcim Philippines Head of Marketing & Innovation Paul Vu Huy Dat.

Introduced by Holcim Philippines in 2017, this mobile laboratory allows the company to provide technical support to partners building in the countryside. It is one of the latest offerings to better support building in the country.

Holcim Philippines’ access to a deep pool of technical expertise from the LafargeHolcim Group, world leader in building solutions is a definite advantage. But equally important is Holcim Philippines’ commitment to truly understand its customers’ needs. To have a richer insight on how it can better help customer the company proactively engages key project specifiers at the start.

“By working hand in hand with our partners and customers at the very start, we gain a deeper understanding of their needs that allows us to fully and jointly focus on value to support with tailored approaches, products and services that improve their execution of projects,” Vu Huy Dat said.

This approach was key in Holcim Philippines’ development of a range of innovative construction solutions and services from structural to finishing applications in road, infrastructure, residential, and other building projects. Dubbed PROSOLUTIONS, the offerings are concrete manifestation of the company’s promise to business partners and customers that it will help them build better with certainty.

The company’s PROSOLUTIONS offerings have already received positive feedback from partners in the road infrastructure segment, a key focus of the government’s upgrade plans.

For example, the company was one the key players that introduced roller compacted concrete (RCC) to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which led to the agency setting the standards last year for this building technology. The RCC is expected to help speed up the road construction process especially for secondary thoroughfares.

Holcim Philippines has also successfully deployed a concrete that enables roads to open in 12 up to 24 hours after maintenance and/or repair. Dubbed SuperFast-Crete, this was used for the repairs of C5 and EDSA, two of the busiest highways in Metro Manila, the past two years. The company is also proposing and testing soil stabilization technology, which improves the existing soil condition in areas where the available ground is unsuitable for road construction projects.

Knowing that road expansion plans are concentrated at the countryside, where access to testing and other technical support is difficult, the company developed mobile laboratories starting 2017. These well-equipped labs are deployed to project sites to conduct material testing of concrete, aggregate, soil and other as-built requirements leveraging optimization and cost savings for the contractors. These also serve as a classroom-on-wheels for project workers who need to be trained on how the best practices or even latest techniques in building. These will be complemented by a new dedicated technical laboratory in Davao in 2018.

The road solutions are part of Holcim Philippines’ PROSOLUTION offerings. With more public and private projects on the way, Holcim Philippines is more than ready to help local partners deliver additional value.

The must-haves of executive leadership

Efficiency is fundamental for the workplace executive. Whether it is at the office, on the road, or in a conference call, the corporate leader at the helm of any company must always exude an air of expertise, of style, and of function to command the respect of their followers. Most importantly, these individuals must give the impression that they are irreplaceable.

For this, the executive has many tools at their disposal, all of which are essential luxuries that serve to create the corporate leaders that everyone aspires to become.

A respectable wardrobe

First and foremost, an executive must be in possession of a wardrobe that inspires confidence and authority. Clothes that strike the right balance between style and the workplace dress code is often more than enough to make one stand out from his peers.

A high-flying executive look does not have to consist of exclusive and expensive designer wear, but at the very least, they must be tailored personally for the best fit and form. For men, this is easily solved with the quintessential three-piece suit and its derivatives. For women, a bit more thought is involved.

Forbes, in an article, cited political leaders Hillary Clinton and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel as women leaders who are adopting a new matronly style that puts more focus on their speeches and actions, rather than their outward appearance.

Forbes quotes women’s image consultant and wardrobe stylist Michele Oppenheimer, whose more than 25-year list of career credits began at Galeries Lafayette in Paris and includes working with Giorgio Armani, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, “Clinton and Merkel look like grandmothers, which might help them to not appear threatening.”

For women whose leadership role is less about maintaining a public persona, Ms. Oppenheimer suggests darker colors that adapt to the corporate environment. Personalization is always a good option, so long as the goal is to be fashionable and not ‘trendy’.

“Women in a leadership role should be classic and perfectly put together,” Ms. Oppenheimer said. “Clean lines, perfect tailoring and exquisite fabric transcend time and trends.”

Watches to impress

Luxury watches are the epitome of the executive philosophy: classy, efficient, functional, and ever-reliable. Good watches also provide a bit of flexibility and personalization in one’s appearance. Male executives with a penchant for appreciating the long-lasting and finer things in life would be hard-pressed to find a more impressive addition to their arsenal.

World-class brands like Omega, Rolex, Tag Heuer and Hublot offer time-pieces which are likely to last not only throughout an entire career, but through generations. There are three different types of watch to choose from: mechanical, automatic, quartz.

Many watch aficionados believe that the mechanical movement type watches represent the crème de la crème of timepieces, owing largely to their traditional pedigree and the intricate work and engineering that must go into creating them. For such enthusiasts, owning a mechanical watch isn’t just about telling time, but a way to express their appreciation for history, refinement and craftsmanship.

An elegance and refinement in writing

As a business leader, a particularly unglamorous part of one’s daily duties is doing paperwork. Signatures are needed to close deals, approve purchases, and finalize business decisions. A classy-looking pen may help make such moments more engaging, as penmakers like Mont Blanc, Parker or Sheaffer promise to make writing on paper a refined experience with their fountain pens.

Fountain pens also offer the added benefit of impressing business partners with an eye for detail. As WIRED puts it, “A good fountain pen is a piece of precision engineering and design, and will serve you well for many years. Using a fountain pen is about making a deliberate choice to buy something that you can use repeatedly, rather than something you use once and loose. If you want to write casually, get a Bic disposable and throw it away when you’re done. But if you want to have something that looks cool and is a pleasure to use, get a fountain pen.”

Colognes and perfumes to enchant

In addition to wardrobe and accessories, how one smells can contribute significantly to defining one’s persona and character. A subtle, yet enchanting cologne or perfume can serve as a powerful tool in improving one’s charisma.

In choosing a perfume or cologne, one must consider the different notes which determine the overall scent. According to online perfume site Perfume.com, these notes consist of three different layers called base, top and middle notes, and they all work in synergy to create a specific smell.

“Some perfumes, for example, would be considered floral and contain different scent notes like rose, gardenia, or geranium. Others may be a bit fruitier, with undertones of citrus or apple. Exotic perfumes contain spicy notes like star anise or even cinnamon,” the site wrote.

“Men’s scents have various notes as well. Musk scents have a heavier, more masculine tone, while others may have smells like pine or even leather-based notes. It is always a good idea to determine which types of cologne or perfume you prefer and then see which base notes they contain before making a purchase decision.” — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

Pursuing greater heights

Obtaining a degree in higher education for Filipinos is highly important. According to reports, Filipinos, in comparison to the global average, strongly believe in the correlation of educational attainment and having better employment opportunities, including that of higher income in the workplace.

While completing an undergraduate degree has become a norm, obtaining a postgraduate degree, although not an absolute essential, is becoming an “unspoken” requirement to some graduates, according to an article by London-based publication, Times Higher Education (THE).

The article stated that a growing number of graduates are embarking on postgraduate degrees even when such qualifications are not a requirement for work in their chosen industry. The report went on by saying that increasingly, people are pursuing a master’s degree not to stand out from the pack but simply to keep up with it, and stated that some who have just been starting out in the job market have reported that they are finding it difficult to get noticed with just a bachelor’s degree.

THE further cited some advantages of having a postgraduate degree through some of the interviews it has conducted such as making contacts. On the other hand, some professions strictly call for a postgraduate degree such as teaching.

The correlation of taking postgraduate degrees and employment was also cited by ICEF Monitor, a dedicated market intelligence resource for the international education industry, in a 2016 survey.

“A global survey of international postgraduate applicants finds that employment concerns are figuring more prominently in the decision-making of prospective master’s and PhD students. Other key considerations for postgraduate applicants include the international recognition of advanced degrees earned abroad, cultural interest and lifestyle factors, and affordability,” ICEF Monitor stated.

Meanwhile, according to an article by topuniversities.com, home to the annual QS World University Rankings, the skills attained by studying a postgraduate degree will strengthen one’s CV and will certainly help them stand out amongst those who haven’t obtained a postgraduate qualification.

“Some universities will offer work experience as part of postgraduate-level programs, which will provide you with valuable insights into working in that environment and help you develop your professional network. This experience can be highlighted during graduate job interviews, to show that you have both the academic and professional knowledge needed to be successful in the position,” the article stated.

Similarly, employers are seeing the value of potential hires with more than undergraduate qualifications. Online employment Web site Career Builder revealed in a 2016 survey that more than one in four employers are hiring employees with masteral degrees for positions that have been primarily held by those with four-year degrees in the past.

“Nearly a third (32%) of employers have increased their educational requirements over the past five years. More than a quarter (27%) are hiring employees with master’s degrees for positions primarily held by those with four-year degrees in the past, and 37% are hiring employees with college degrees for positions that had been primarily held by those with high school degrees,” the survey stated.

The survey also noted that higher degrees not only boost candidates’ chances of getting hired, but they can help their chances of getting promoted as well.

While a higher educational attainment an individual might achieve could result to certain financial advantages, further studying could also bring social benefits such as the value of the experience of going to university, among many others. This is according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) 2005 study exploring the economic benefits of higher education qualifications.

Topuniversities.com also said that taking postgraduate studies can contribute to one’s personal development for it will be equipping the student with skills that can support them through daily life, such as time management, researching, presentation and writing.

On a larger picture, a society with individuals pursuing graduate studies can also benefit the government and its economy.

“From the perspective of many governments, expanding graduate education has an attractive secondary benefit,” a 2014 report titled “Higher Education in Asia: Expanding Out, Expanding Up” by UNESCO stated.

“Many governments see universities as centers of research that will yield positive economic returns to the country. University research is typically done at the graduate level (master’s and doctoral). Hence, expanding graduate education is viewed as a means of increasing the economic competitiveness of the country,” the report continued.

The Commission on Higher Education shares the same sentiment. According to the commission’s published “Higher Education Accomplishments 2010-2016” report, higher education performs a distinct social function across countries and economies.

“At the macro level, it builds human capital to spur creativity and productivity, generates new knowledge, engenders innovations for human development, and drives economic growth and global competitiveness. At the micro level, it expands and enhances career and life choices and chances of individuals, produces persons with humanist values, a desire to serve their communities and the Filipino nation, academic, behavioral and technical skills, the ability to think through the ethical and social implications of their actions, and the competency to learn continuously in order to fully engage in the world of work or in the creation of jobs, and, more importantly, live meaningfully in today’s complex world,” the report stated. — Romsanne R. Ortiguero

Top-notch programs from first-rate graduate schools

To achieve professional satisfaction and distinction, people are turning more and more to graduate schools. But the fact that one has a postgraduate degree does not always ensure that one will realize his or her career ambitions. The quality of an advanced academic degree matters so much, so does the quality of the educational institution where it is earned.

Here are several of the Philippines’ most prestigious graduate schools and some of the programs they offer.

Ateneo Graduate School of Business

Established in 1948, Ateneo Graduate School of Business aims to be a leading management educational institution in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly for a business practitioner seeking to become a professional and ethical business leader committed to nation-building. It offers an array of Master of Business Administration programs, including the Standard MBA program and the Middle Managers MBA program.

The standard version, offered on a part-time basis, is meant for early-career professionals who do not want to put their careers on hold and like to prepare themselves for taking greater responsibilities and assuming leadership roles. To qualify for this program, one has to have a meaningful employment or professional experience at least two years after college graduation. Students of this program embark on a journey of self-awareness to clarify their personal value frameworks while acquiring the skills and the mind-sets that will help them address management issues and become lifelong learners.

The MBA program for middle managers, as its name suggests, is designed especially for those who have supervisory and/or managerial positions within their organizations. It is also designed in a way that enables students to make immediate, high-quality decisions for maximum impact. At least five years of supervisory and/or managerial experience is a requirement for this program.

University of Asia and the Pacific Professional Schools

The graduate programs offered by the Professional Schools of the University of Asia and the Pacific, which was founded in 1967 as a think tank, seek to equip professionals and practitioners that knowledge that will reinforce their experience and expertise.

One of those programs is the Master in Applied Business Analytics, for professionals who want to seize the power of data and analytics. This program is delivered in collaboration with Analytics Association of the Philippines to help students work on real problems of real clients with actual data for their analytics course project.

There’s also the Master in Applied Business Economics. This program can be taken by those who assist top executives in corporate planning and research who would like to build strong theoretical foundations in planning. They will be provided with the awareness and sensitivity to issues and problems confronting the nation, and opportunities to develop their analytical and problem-solving skills.

Asian Institute of Management

Asian Institute of Management is renowned for being a pioneer in management education in Asia. It has the mission to sustain the growth of Asian businesses and societies by developing leaders and managers who are entrepreneurial and socially responsible.

For middle- and senior-level executives, AIM, as it is also called, offers a part-time graduate degree program called the Executive Master in Business Administration, which allows the executives to balance career commitments and higher education goals. This executive program takes students through a rigorous curriculum of management fundamentals and strategy and rebuilds the students’ knowledge of general management concepts while connecting these ideas to discussions of real-life business cases. Program coursework lasts 20 months, followed by a three-month independent study period in which students work on their capstone project. Each class has an average of 10 to 12 years’ worth of work experience.

Another part-time advanced degree offering of AIM is the Master in Entrepreneurship. The program does not only impart theoretical knowledge but also build the capacity of the students and their business. Entrepreneurs — even presidents, general managers and heads of strategic business units — spend 18 months to complete the program and are assigned a primary mentor from the school’s faculty.

University of the Philippines Virata School of Business

The Virata School of Business of the leading public research university in the country was originally established as a school within the institution in 1916. Since then, it has become a management education leader.

The MBA program of the school strives to help managers gain advantage in their profession. But the students the school is looking for are those with strong academic background and professional experience, as well as the interest and discipline to develop their managerial and leadership potential. The MBA’s broad-based curriculum, which is founded on current management theories and approaches, combines technical training and practical problem-solving, and is complemented by experiential learning methods.

The school’s master’s program in finance was partly a response to the growing size and complexity of the Philippine finance sector that has created the need for a specialized degree program in finance. It was conceptualized and designed in 1995 by members of the UP finance faculty, then refined with the help of the business community. Like in the standard MBA program, the courses taken by students of the Master of Science in Finance are offered on a trimestral basis.

Which postgraduate degrees are the most valuable?

After spending a few years working in any industry, a curious thought will pass through the minds of most young adults. They will wonder about their professional development, their current job, and how satisfied they are with the work they are doing. Some of them, inevitably, decide that they are unsatisfied and switch careers. Some stick their course. Others think about going back to school.

Postgraduate courses and master’s programs are a popular path for individuals facing this crossroad in adulthood. They can be a great help for those transitioning between different career paths. For some professions, a master’s degree will go a long way in ensuring promotions and opening more opportunities for professional advancement.

However, not all postgraduate and master’s programs are the same. Often, they are expensive life decisions that require years’ worth of dedication. Not to mention that not everyone can apply for these programs. Many top universities in the Philippines require a bachelor’s degree, written recommendations from previous professors or experts in the specific field of study, and an official transcript of records with a high enough grade point average (GPA) to be chosen for admission.

Before you make the investment, you should consider the benefits of your chosen program as some degrees are much more valuable than others.

Online compensation Web site PayScale tried to find out the most and least valuable master’s degrees for jobs in the long term. As a professional compensation database, PayScale created a sophisticated ranking that takes into account seven factors in determining value: early career pay (median pay for workers with zero to five years’ experience), mid-career pay (pay among workers with 10 or more years’ experience), pay growth, job satisfaction, job stress, job meaning and job-market projections from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. PayScale weighs those factors equally to create an overall rating for each degree.

Drawing information from 145,536 salary profiles, PayScale created two lists that capture the 45 best and worst degrees in 2017. While this data reflects that of the US workplace, it is still important to take note of which degrees are the most valuable internationally, especially if you are looking for an opportunity to work abroad.

Number one on this list is biomedical engineering or bioengineering, which the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics defines as a field which “combine engineering principles with medical and biological sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software used in health care.”

PayScale data shows that, among those with biomedical engineering master’s degrees, compensation could rise from $70,200 at the early-career stage to $129,300 by mid-career, a pay growth of 84%.

Computer science, which is described as a field that “invents and designs new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology” and “studies and solves complex problems in computing for business, medicine, science and other fields”, ranks second in PayScale’s list. Computer scientists that start their careers at $86,500 a year may see a jump to $125,900 in a few years, a growth of 45%.

A master’s degree in physics comes in third. Physicists, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “study the ways in which various forms of matter and energy interact.” At the early-career stage, physicists may earn up to $68,200 a year and may expect to see an 83% pay growth to $124,800 a year when they get ten or more years of experience under their belt.

Ranked four and five on Payscale’s list of most valuable master’s degrees are corporate finance and general strategic management. Corporate financial analysts provide “guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions,” and “assess the performance of stocks, bonds and other types of investments.” Meanwhile, general strategic management degree holders are best suited to “formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources.”

Corporate finance degree holders may see early careers start at $78,500 a year, with an 82% jump in pay to $142,900 down the line. For those with a master’s degree in general strategic management, an early career of $84,800 a year can see an 82% pay growth to $154,400 mid-career.

Master’s degrees in mathematics, management information systems, statistics, financial management and applied mathematics also received top spots on PayScale’s list.

The least valuable master’s degrees tend to be in those fields where on-the-job experience counts more than academic accomplishment, and degree holders may see their pay grow at a much slower rate compared to those with degrees on the best degrees list. According to PayScale, a postgraduate in graphic design can only net a 33% increase in pay, from $51,800 early-career to $68,800 mid-career.

Other master’s degrees that fall in the bottom ranks include interior design, early childhood education, writing, pastoral ministry and art history, with pay growth rates going as low as 18% to 45%. Mid-career salaries of such degree holders range from $46,600 a year to $70,000 a year. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

Creating good by doing good

By Romsanne R. Ortiguero

Nowadays, most companies are venturing into businesses not for profit alone. They become conscious of their social, economic, and environmental impact; and at the same time, they create positive change to the communities where they are present through various projects under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) or to some, corporate sustainability programs.

World Bank defines CSR as the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable economic development — working with employees, their families, the local community, and society at large to improve the quality of life, in ways that are both good for business and for development.

“The contemporary CSR agenda is founded in a recognition that businesses are part of society, and they have the potential to make a positive contribution to societal goals and aspirations,” World Bank further stated.

Once treated only as an optional charitable initiatives handed out to communities, these programs are now considered as “best practice,” one of the core functions of a business, and as a way to creatively and effectively help solve social problems. Hand in hand with the public sector, the private sector can actively spur change towards the country’s development through these programs. Likewise, it can also bring forth a long-term positive impact on the company’s value because of the trust it inspires to the public.

According to Harvard Business Review (HBR), the main goal of CSR is to align a company’s social and environmental activities with its business purpose and values. If in doing so, CSR activities can benefit the company by enhancing its reputation, and contributing to business results, among others. And while companies would want to commit to CSR programs because it can do good for the company’s reputation, HBR said that more importantly, the general public is clamoring for companies to enact good, fair business practices.

In a separate report by HBR in January 2018, it showed that more companies are starting to care more about CSR. HBR said that among the largest 250 companies in the world, 92% produced a CSR report in 2015, informing shareholders and the public about the firm’s activities, which  indicated a 64% increase in having such a report in 2005.

Not only the community engaged in a company’s CSR and sustainability programs benefits from the initiative. The report by HBR also said that the company’s employees also mutually gain from such programs.

“Companies are also finding that CSR efforts — such as sustainability initiatives, corporate foundations, employee volunteer programs, and donations to charity — can be important tools for attracting and motivating employees. Research has shown that various forms of prosocial incentives (workers get rewarded not with money, but with the firm engaging in some act to benefit society) indeed increase productivity in simple and complex tasks, increase retention, and even lower employees’ wage demands,” the report stated.

In the Philippines, it is said that the concept of mutual aid is common, as exemplified in the spirit of bayanihan or brotherhood, where members of the community lend assistance to each other in times of need. Similarly, with the goal of contributing to the well-being of a community in need, it is often common than for companies not to implement sustainability or CSR programs.

Recognizing the importance of social responsibility, local mining company Apex Mining Co., Inc. (AMCI) — with a history of mining operations since the 1930s — has since been doing various community development initiatives. Its efforts in engaging with the communities where the company is located is further solidified with the passage of R.A. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which mandates all mining companies to prepare and implement its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) to its host and neighboring communities.

AMCI has flagship Social Development and Management Programs (SDMP) named H.E.L.P.S., which aims to assist the social, economic, and environmental development of AMCI’s host and neighboring communities. HELPS stands for Health & Medical Assistance Program; Educational Program; Livelihood Program; Public Infrastructure Program; and Socio-Cultural & Religious Assistance Program. The company spent P46.7 million in 2017 and P38 million  in 2016 for its social and development programs.

AMCI considers the company’s support to education as its most significant CSR program. Through its educational programs, which are geared towards the improvement of the quality of education and skills enhancement, the company now employs residents from the locality to fill up technical and non-technical positions.

“AMCI’s commitment to the development and improvement of the local communities showcases the company’s advocacy to pursue its SDMP seriously. Foremost in its corporate objectives are (1) ensure profitability to sustain its operations and support its shareholders, (2) maintain the safety and wellbeing of all its employees, and (3) provide full support to sustainable economic development of its hosts and neighboring communities,” the company told BusinessWorld in an e-mail.

AMCI considers itself not just as a responsible mining company but also as a catalyst and partner in community development. The continuous implementation of the company’s social programs enabled it to be trusted by the communities they are working in.

“The involvement, cooperation, partnership, and active participation of the community stakeholders in all aspects of the company’s operations are essential to gaining the trust and confidence of the people. The more the people are involved in the implementation of programs, projects and/or activities (PPAs), the more they can attain the ‘sense of ownership’ over the particular PPAs,” AMCI said.

Moving forward, AMCI stated that it will continue to implement the PPAs that are programmed under its SDMP in consultation with the stakeholders of the company’s host and neighboring communities. Moreover, it will continue funding its SDMP to ensure its timely implementation.

Apex Mining Co., Inc.: A partner for progress

Apex Mining Co., Inc. (AMCI) is a Philippine-owned company, incorporated and registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission in 1970 primarily to carry on the business of mining and related activities. AMCI became a publicly listed company under the Philippine Stock Exchange in 1974 using the symbol APX. It operates the Maco Gold Mine located in Masara, Maco, Compostela Valley, Southern Mindanao.

AMCI’s history goes back in the 1930s when it began its mining operations as Hijo Gold Mines. In 1978, its corporate name was changed to Apex Mining Co., Inc. The ensuing years became tough for the company brought about by the challenges in the mining industry. A new management took over in November 2013.

Under the new management, AMCI has marked significant growth from improving efficiency in its operations to increasing AMCI’s overall profitability. In recent years, AMCI has been able to record consistent progress. Its increasing consolidated net income in the last three years were testament to its profitability: P429 million in 2017 (AMCI press release April 10, 2018), P322 million in 2016, and P71 million in 2015. Its Maco mine operation continues to establish new records in terms of production and efficiency.

Along with achieving its business goals, AMCI has been steadfast in its social commitment to uplift the lives of the people residing in the host and nearby communities and to protect the environment.

AMCI has become a catalyst for community development through its various Social Development Management Plan (SDMP) activities and environmental protection programs in Compostela Valley.

The company spent P46.7 million and P38.1 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, for public infrastructures, educational support, socio-cultural and religious support, health and medical assistance, and livelihood programs, all geared towards improving the social and economic condition of the local communities.

Likewise, AMCI spent P36.8 million in 2017 and P85.4 million in 2016 for its Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP).

In line with AMCI’s goal to improve the lives of the local residents, the company created the Apex Village in Barangay Elizalde, Maco where decent housing units were constructed by the company.

As of December 2017, 30 housing units out of 90 housing units have already been turned-over to local families residing in geo-hazard areas inside the Maco mine’s tenement.

In addition, various public infrastructure projects were also constructed and implemented in neighboring communities, including the improvement of covered courts, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads, installation of street lights and support to the construction of religious structures.

AMCI considers the company’s support to education as its most significant social program. Through its educational programs, which are geared towards the improvement of the quality of education and skills enhancement, the company now employs residents from the locality to fill up technical and non-technical positions in the company.

AMCI believes that a healthy community is a productive community. Thus, the company also provides medical support and financial assistance to maintain the wellbeing of the local residents.

Furthermore, it provides alternative livelihood programs, so members of the communities would not be totally dependent on the employment generated from its mining operations.

In fulfillment of AMCI’s commitment to the environment, the company takes extra steps to protect and preserve the natural resources. It regularly conducts tree planting, takes part in managing water resources and pollution in its host and neighboring communities, and participates in various clean-up drives.

AMCI will continue to implement social projects and activities programmed under the company’s SDMP and EPEP as it believes that the involvement, cooperation with local government units and its regulatory agencies and in partnership and active participation of the local residents are essential to sustaining the development and progress of the communities as well as the preservation of the environment and natural habitat.

The benefits of corporate social responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is, at its core, a practice of accountability and responsibility. An organization considers the impact of its business decisions and operations on communities, on society, and on the environment, and takes positive action to improve them. Whether it is through grand acts of philanthropy like building schools and hospitals, or through small measures meant to minimize waste, CSR is a means by which corporations can use their power and influence for social good.

Cube Group, a public value consultancy focused on working with public sector and nonprofit organizations in Australia, wrote it this way on its Web site, “Corporate Social Responsibility is more than just donating money or printing double-sided to save trees, it’s about contributing to the health and welfare of society, operating transparently and ethically.”

“More importantly, this way of operating should be embedded in the business, rather than an afterthought.”

What’s attractive about CSR initiatives is that the goal is usually twofold: as a corporation gives more to any given community, positive press often follows. Ultimately, CSR ends in a win-win scenario for the business and for society, in a myriad of ways.

CSR helps promote brand recognition

One of the primary purposes of many CSR efforts is that of brand recognition. A fast food company which regularly hosts feeding programs for the poor, or a real estate firm doing work to provide low-income housing are some effective ways to boost public awareness of their brand.

This is especially rewarding for companies in highly competitive industries. A positive brand image can give a company the edge it needs to gain a bigger market share, while still contributing to a worthwhile cause.

CSR keeps employees engaged

Among the biggest reasons employees leave companies with high turnover rates is that they usually feel a lack of purpose and meaning in their work.

In a study published by Emerald Insight using data from 85,167 questionnaires completed by employees at 381 Brazilian companies as well as data pertaining to the “breadth” of CSR engagement of those same companies, it was found that the positive image CSR efforts bring a company increases employee satisfaction.

“Because employee behaviour influences organizational outcomes and higher job satisfaction may lead to greater employee commitment to organizational goals and values, understanding the impact of CSR on employee satisfaction is relevant to corporate performance,” the study wrote.

“The results of this study provide evidence that CSR-oriented actions undertaken by companies will lead to a better organizational image, and this, in turn, will lead to greater employee satisfaction.”

CSR promotes personal and professional development

According to Cube Group, providing employees with the opportunity to be involved in a company’s socially responsible activities can have the benefit of teaching new skills to staff, which can in turn be applied in the workplace. This encourages a completely new form of professional development among employees.

“By undertaking activities outside of their usual work responsibilities, employees have the chance to contribute to work and causes that they might feel passionate about, or learn something entirely new which can help enrich their own perspectives. By supporting these activities, organizations encourage growth and support for employees,” Cube Group said.

Companies who engage in CSR become employers of choice

The new generation of workers is increasingly becoming more focused on the morality and ethics of the companies they work for. A survey of more than 2,000 people in the United Kingdom conducted by the consultancy firm Global Tolerance and published in 2015 found that 42% of workers want to work for an organization that leaves a positive impact on the world. More than half, or 44%, thought meaningful work that helped others was more important than a high salary and 36% would work harder if their company benefitted society. 

Millennials, or those born between 1981 and 1996, are leading this change. Of those millennials surveyed, 62% revealed that they want to work for a company that makes a positive impact, half prefer purposeful work to a high salary, and 53% would work harder if they were making a difference to others.

Recruitment and retention, particularly, will be more effective within this new values-driven generation for companies that significantly contributes to the good of society. Through employee-focused activities such as community volunteering or fundraising, a good CSR policy can attract the talent that can keep a company relevant for years down the line. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

Cocreating value for business and society

It’s been well-established that corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are generally good for business, providing benefits like bolstered reputation and healthier bottom line, and for the society. But how to design these initiatives effectively is less clear.

“Many companies start with pet projects, philanthropy, or propaganda because these activities are quick and easy to decide on and implement,” Tracey S. Keys, Thomas W. Malnight and Kees van der Graaf wrote in an article published in McKinsey Quarterly, the flagship business publication of McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm. “The question is how to move toward CSR strategies that focus on truly cocreating value for the business and society.”

The authors called attention to two CSR projects. One was by the Indian consumer goods company Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) called Project Shakti. “More than 70% of India’s population resides in rural villages scattered over large geographic areas with very low per-capita consumption rates. For multinationals, the cost of reaching and serving these rural markets is significant, as typical urban distribution approaches do not work,” the authors noted.

The company teamed up with self-help groups composed of female entrepreneurs, who were given training and the money to purchase HUL products that they sold in their respective villages. Project Shakti managed to provide work for 42,000 women and generate sales of nearly $100 million for the company.

Kericho, a program of Unilever Tea Kenya that sought to apply the company’s sustainability principles to tea production, helped shape the company’s ability to control the supply of tea and enhance its corporate reputation with both consumers and employees.

“For society, the initiative increased farmer revenue through a 10% to 15% premium paid above market prices. Additionally, it focused on topics of significant concern for governments and farmers alike, including improving farmer skills, environmental protection, and sustainable production methods (such as developing a self-sufficient ecosystem), as well as enhancing local associated jobs,” the authors said.

These examples, they noted, suggest three principles for moving towards the goal of cocreating value for business and society.

The first is to concentrate CSR efforts. “Management time and resources are limited, so the greatest opportunities will come from areas where the business significantly interacts with — and thus can have the greatest impact on — society. These are areas where the business not only can gain a deeper understanding of the mutual dependencies but also in which the highest potential for mutual benefit exists,” the authors said.

Next is to build a deeper understanding of the benefits. The authors said finding the potential for mutual value is not always straightforward, not even after selecting chosen areas of opportunity. Finding symmetry between the two sides and an openness to understanding issues from the business and societal perspectives are the key, they added.

Finally, there’s the need for businesses to find the right partners, those that benefit from their core activities and capabilities and from whom they can derive benefits as well. The authors pointed out that partnering is difficult, but parties may be more motivated if they pay attention to the the win-win potential of their partnership. “Relationships—particularly long-term ones that are built on a realistic understanding of the true strengths on both sides—have a greater opportunity of being successful and sustainable,” the authors said.

Mutual benefit in smart partnering is both a reasonable objective and an ingredient in long-term success. “But this commitment must be grounded in value-creation potential, just like any other strategic initiative. Each is an investment that should be evaluated with the same rigor in prioritization, planning, resourcing, and monitoring,” the authors said.

Companies have to set about defining the potential benefits for the business and society across several dimensions. One such dimension is time frame. The authors suggest being clear on both the short-term immediate objectives and long-term benefits. When it comes to the nature of benefits, it’s worth bearing in mind that some benefits will be tangible, like the revenue to be gained from having access to a new market, and others intangible, like developing a new capability or enhancing employee morale.

Of course, how benefits are to be shared between the business and society should be clear. “If they are one-sided, be careful you are not moving into the philanthropy or propaganda arena. Remember that if the aim is to create more value from partnering than you could do apart, then benefits must be shared appropriately.”

This task of defining benefits will not be always easy, the authors cautioned, “but a clear business case and story is important if you are to get the company, its shareholders, and its stakeholders on board.”

Building the country’s future

By Mark Louis F. Ferrolino, Special Features Writer

With the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program of the Duterte administration, the cement industry is now at the forefront of the country’s economic boom. The industry has been experiencing significant progress and is expected to grow even more due to the increased investment in infrastructure that fuels demand for cement and other construction materials.

“The country is experiencing a continuing increase in cement demand,” Ernesto M. Ordoñez, president of Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines Inc. (CeMAP), was quoted as saying in the 2015 Annual Cement Industry Report. “The forecast is that local demand for cement may continue to increase in the coming years.”

Over the past years, the local cement industry has grown along with the Philippine economy. The 2017 Cement Market Report prepared by the Cement Business Advisory, which was also quoted in the Eagle Cement Corp.’s prospectus in 2017, shows that there is a tremendous growth in the country’s demand for cement.

“The increase in construction activity over the last two years was mainly driven by increased infrastructure spending by the government. Prior to 2015, construction activity was mainly supported by private investment directed to housing and commercial/industrial projects. In 2015, infrastructure spending almost doubled as a percentage of GDP (gross domestic product) and has continued to increase in 2016,” Eagle Cement said in the prospectus.

In terms of gross value and gross value added in construction, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said that the industry grew by 2.8% for the fourth quarter of 2017; slower compared with the previous year’s 10.7%. The growth was driven by the increase in public construction but was weighed down by the decline in private construction.

Based on a separate data published by PSA, it showed that the total number of construction projects in the country for the fourth quarter of 2017 rose to 33,445, or 3.6% higher than the recorded 32,282 constructions during the same quarter in the previous year.

In the same period, the number of non-residential constructions increased to 4,903. This reflects an increase of 23.2% from 3,981 recorded in 2016. The growth was brought by the increase in number of constructions in agricultural buildings with 281 (51.1%), commercial buildings with 3,129 (25.9%), other non-residential type of constructions with 109 (22.5%), industrial buildings with 554 (14.2%), and institutional buildings with 830 (12.8%).

On the other hand, the number of residential building constructions declined by 4.3% to 23,693 from the previous year’s 24,752. Residential condominiums, apartment or accessoria, single-type houses, and duplex or quadruplex showed decrements in number.

In terms of additions to existing structures, the PSA data showed an increase of 1,149 from 888 projects during the same period of 2016. Likewise, combined number of alterations and repairs of existing structures increased to 3,700 from the previous year’s 2,666.

All these construction projects require the use of cement. Thus, the cement industry serves as the partner of the country in transforming its aspirations into realities and in building its future. Also, with the number of construction activities across the Philippines, more investors are attracted to invest in the country.

As of December 2016, the Philippine cement industry has an estimated annual clinker and cement capacity of 20.6 and 28.63 million tonnes, respectively, according to the 2017 Cement Market Report.

Of these capacities, it could be noted that the top four industry players, namely LafargeHolcim, CEMEX, Republic Cement and Eagle Cement, account for about 80% and 82% of total clinker and cement domestic production, respectively.

Significant growth in imports of both clinker and cement that are brought by existing industry players or independent importers was observed.

Majority of imports are being sourced by existing cement players in order to augment their domestic cement production. The sources of these imports are mainly from countries in the region that experience supply overcapacity, namely China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

“In 2016, almost all of the domestic manufacturers imported either clinker or cement and given that margins on local production are higher than on imported products, it would normally be expected that manufacturers would maximize local clinker production. The apparent discrepancy therefore between the quoted capacity of around 20 MT clinker and actual production of around 17 MT might lead to some doubt as to the real capability of the domestic industry to achieve the stated capacity levels. If this is the case, then there will be an additional supply shortfall that would have to be met by extra imports or new investments,” Eagle Cement said in the prospectus.

On the other hand, the company noted that the entry of independent importers are viewed to be opportunistic in nature and their long-term commitment to the market is questionable since they are yet to invest in importation assets in the country such as terminals and depots, among others.

Meanwhile, the Board of Investments (BoI) is seeking for more cement investments as it expects demand to double by 2020.

Based on the projection provided in the 2017 Cement Market Report, the industry would need an addition of about 11.55 million tons of cement capacity to address the cement consumption requirements until 2025.

“To address this demand gap, existing players may either build capacity expansions or import clinker and/or cement from abroad. The latter is especially true for multinational cement countries which have operations in nearby countries. But given the limitation on port capacity to receive imported cement, it seems that there is a significant need for the construction of additional capacity going forward to support not only the widening cement supply gap but also the continuity of economic growth in the country,” Eagle Cement said.

In general, industry players are investing on key projects to increase cement capacity in anticipation of higher demand in the following years. Behind the projected shortfall, companies remain optimistic with regard to the future of the industry.

Republic Cement: Six decades of contributing to nation-building

For over 60 years, Republic Cement has been a partner in the Philippines’ transformation and a vital contributor to nation-building. Founded in 1955, the organization has grown and evolved into what is now known as the Republic Cement Group, composed of Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc., Republic Cement Services, Inc., Republic Cement Iligan, Inc., Republic Cement Mindanao, Inc., and Republic Cement & Land Resources, Inc.

Republic Cement has a nationwide footprint with seven strategically located sites across the Philippines, manufacturing cement and building materials including bagged cement, bulk cement, and aggregates under well-trusted brands such as Republic, Fortune, Rapidset, Kapitbalay, Mindanao, and Wallmaster.

“Republic Cement has been trusted for its consistent quality over the years, which is why it remains to be the cement of choice, especially for high-rise and large infrastructure projects,” the company told BusinessWorld in an e-mail.

Republic is backed by the global expertise of CRH, a leading global diversified building materials group and a Fortune 500 company; and Aboitiz, a diversified Filipino business conglomerate recognized as one of the best-managed companies in Asia.

“Together, we are creating a strong platform for future growth as we endeavor to make Republic the best managed building materials company in the Philippines,” said Republic Cement Services, Inc. President Nabil Francis.

Sustainability is embedded in its operations, which is why the company continues to look for ways to reduce its ecological footprint, investing in new technologies, and endeavoring to meet the highest standards of environmental management.

“We have established our leadership in sustainability, introducing innovation in green manufacturing with initiatives that reduce carbon dioxide emissions, improve energy efficiency, and preserve our forests for the enjoyment of future generations. We are planting 200,000 trees this year, and are on-track with our target to plant one million trees by 2020,” Mr. Francis added.

To illustrate, Republic Cement is the first cement company in the Philippines to invest in Waste Heat Recovery. Since a large amount of heat is produced in the production of cement but only a small portion of this heat is utilized in the production process, most of the heat ends up being wasted. To address this, the company commissioned the Waste Heat Recovery System at the Republic Teresa Plant in 2010.

The project involved the installation of a 4.5-MW capacity turbine which captures and uses most of the waste heat to generate electricity. The Heat Recovery System has the capacity to meet approximately 30% of Teresa Plant’s power requirements, thereby decreasing the plant’s dependence on the power grid and cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 12,000 tons per year.

Republic Cement also broke ground with its installation of a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient horomill, increasing its plant’s cement production capacity, while decreasing its energy consumption. Moreover, it can also utilize CO2 neutral cement additives, such as fly ash, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Another facet of the company as a green manufacturer is the replacement of the clinker in its blended cement with carbon-neutral minerals or industrial byproducts. According to the company, Republic Portland Plus is the only blended cement manufactured in the country that uses fly ash, which is an industrial by-product of the power industry.

“The use of fly ash increases the strength and durability of concrete over time, bringing its own enhancement to the product. In comparing the footprint versus ordinary Portland cement, it was found to have a lower environmental impact by around 25%. This solution provides the most ecologically sound alternative to the current disposal of fly ash. Moreover, the use of this by-product as an additive in our cement provides a sustainable alternative to pozzolan, limestone, and other non-renewable materials,” Mr. Francis explained.

Furthermore, the company has been using sustainable alternative fuels such as rice husk, saw dust, and refuse-derived fuel to substitute its fossil fuel requirements for several years now. Also, waste co-processing has been part of its operations since 2002. Co-processing allows for the simultaneous recovery of thermal and/or mineral resources of wastes from other sources for use in cement manufacturing. This process is a more environment-friendly alternative to landfilling and chemical treatment waste management. Other advantages include complete combustion, zero ultimate waste, and lower CO2 emissions.

Aside from embracing these new technologies, the company endeavors to improve its operational efficiency and increase production capacity, in support of the country’s growing infrastructure needs.

Meanwhile, Republic Cement continues to be a key partner in nation-building, living its thrust to advance business and communities through its various corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Kusina ng Kalinga, its flagship program against hunger and malnutrition, in partnership with Gawad Kalinga, attests to Republic Cement’s commitment to invest in the future. More than contributing to the nation’s infrastructure growth, Republic is nourishing the nation’s future leaders. Over 700 schoolchildren in Taysan, Batangas have since benefited from nutritious lunch meals daily for the school year 2017-2018.

The said program has seen phenomenal success, reducing malnutrition incidence from 11% to 0% among schoolchildren-beneficiaries. This year, Republic Cement is expanding the said program with a new Kusina in Bulacan in hopes of touching the lives of over 3,000 children.

“We envision a Philippines with strong, durable structures and infrastructure that will serve Filipinos for generations to come. But more than just structures, we also want to ensure that today’s children are nourished and strengthened to become the country’s next generation of leaders,” shared Mr. Francis.

Other initiatives under its Social Development and Management Program include scholarships, livelihood programs, medical missions, sports clinics, and Information Education, Communication (IEC) events, among others.

“With the strength and quality of Republic Cement, coupled with good corporate citizenship, it is our desire to build stronger structures, stronger communities, and stronger cities. Ultimately, our goal is to build a stronger Republic,” Mr. Francis said. — Romsanne R. Ortiguero

That which binds civilization

Though it is necessary in all roads, buildings and cityscapes, cement is often overlooked in its importance. It is the binding agent which is vital in the construction of buildings, in the handling of water and sewage, and it is used in basketball courts, on roofs, stairs, pavements, tunnels and even lamp posts. Essentially, the modern, urban lifestyle, at least here in the Philippines, is impossible without it.

For all cement’s versatility and ubiquity, very little is widely known about it. For instance, the fact that this modern engineering substance is not very modern at all.

History of cement

Of course, refined products today are very different, but cement has been present in one form or another since the dawn of human civilization. A substance called bitumen was used for cementation purposes by the ancient Babylonians and Assyrians to bind together burnt brick or alabaster slabs. In Greece, the Minoans of Crete used crushed potshards as an artificial pozzolan to make hydraulic cement.

The Romans utilized crushed volcanic ash mixed with lime or else powdered brick or pottery to create wonders like the dome of the Pantheon in Rome and the massive Baths of Caracalla, many of which are still standing to this day. Humanity then continued to refine and experiment with hydraulic cement until the technical knowledge for making it was formalized by French and British engineers in the 18th century. Portland cement, the most common type of cement in general use around the world as a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar, stucco and non-speciality grout, was then developed in England in the 19th century.

What it is made of

Technically speaking, cement generally refers to a very fine powdery substance chiefly made up of limestone (calcium), sand or clay (silicon), bauxite (aluminum) and iron ore, and may include shells, chalk, marl, shale, clay, blast furnace slag, slate.

According to civil engineering Web site Civil Today, cement is classified into two kinds based on the way it is set and hardened: hydraulic cement, which hardens due to the addition of water; and non-hydraulic cement, which is hardened by carbonation with the carbon present in the air, so it cannot be used underwater.

“Cement is an integral part of the urban infrastructure. It is used to make concrete as well as mortar, and to secure the infrastructure by binding the building blocks. Concrete is made of cement, water, sand, and gravel mixed in definite proportions, whereas mortar consists of cement, water, and lime aggregate,” Civil Today wrote.

“These are both used to bind rocks, stones, bricks and other building units, fill or seal any gaps, and to make decorative patterns. Cement mixed with water silicates and aluminates, making a water repellant hardened mass that is used for water-proofing.”

How it is made

The Portland Cement Association (PCA), a policy, research, education, and market intelligence organization serving the United States’ cement manufacturers, wrote extensively on the manufacture and application of cement.

The most common way to manufacture portland cement, according to PCA, is through a dry method that involves several stages. “The first crushing reduces the rock to a maximum size of about six inches. The rock then goes to secondary crushers or hammer mills for reduction to about three inches or smaller,” the organization wrote on its Web site.

“The crushed rock is combined with other ingredients such as iron ore or fly ash and ground, mixed, and fed to a cement kiln.”

Kilns are a type of oven that can heat all the ingredients to about 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit in huge cylindrical steel rotary chambers lined with special firebrick. The PCA noted that kilns used for the calcination of crushed rock are frequently as much as 12 feet in diameter — large enough to accommodate an automobile and longer in many instances than the height of a 40-story building. The large cylinders used for this process are mounted with the axis inclined slightly from the horizontal and are called rotary kilns.

The finely ground raw material or the slurry is fed into the higher end of the cylinder, while the lower end is subjected to an intense blast of flame, produced by precisely controlled burning of powdered coal, oil, alternative fuels, or gas under forced draft.

“As the material moves through the kiln, certain elements are driven off in the form of gases. The remaining elements unite to form a new substance called clinker. Clinker comes out of the kiln as grey balls, about the size of marbles,” the PCA wrote.

Red-hot from the kiln, the clinker is then brought down to handling temperature in various types of coolers. The heated air from the coolers is returned to the kilns, a process that saves fuel and increases burning efficiency.

“After the clinker is cooled, cement plants grind it and mix it with small amounts of gypsum and limestone. Cement is so fine that 1 pound of cement contains 150 billion grains. The cement is now ready for transport to ready-mix concrete companies to be used in a variety of construction projects,” the PCA said. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

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