MANILA, Philippines, Oct 29, (Agencies): President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has expressed his commitment to prioritize the use of locally manufactured building materials in future infrastructure projects. This decision comes in response to a proposal put forward by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) infrastructure cluster, endorsing the idea of supporting domestic products in government projects.

Marcos lauded this approach as a "step in the right direction," emphasizing the importance of giving preference and priority to locally-produced building materials that meet the required quality standards. To implement this, Marcos has instructed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to collaborate closely with PSAC to compile a list of specific construction materials suitable for government infrastructure projects.

Furthermore, he has directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), through the Government Procurement Policy Board, to develop guidelines that align with the policy of prioritizing local materials, ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations.

Marcos highlighted the need to align supply and demand in this endeavor, underlining that if the objective is for 100 percent of construction materials to be sourced locally, efforts to establish new manufacturing facilities may be required, possibly in the form of an Administrative Order (AO) or other applicable measures.

During a meeting, members of the PSAC emphasized the importance of government support for the local industry, citing the Philippines' wealth of talents and world-class products, often surpassing those of neighboring countries. The council assured Marcos that local manufacturing industries produce cement, steel, and other construction materials that adhere to Philippine national standards, designed to withstand the country's climate and natural disasters.

Sabin Aboitiz, head of PSAC, stressed their advocacy to promote local, Filipino-made products for the benefit of Filipinos and encouraged the government to lead by example in patronizing these domestically-produced items.