PC&D Magazine Nov.-Dec. 2014 issue # 16 by saibermedia

PHILIPPINE

THE MAGAZINE FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS VOL. 2. No. 16 November - December 2014

ASiA Enclaves combines luxury and affordability

Let the sun shine Meralco, PLDT considers underground cables

BCDA invites bids for Villamor Air Base former driving range Power crisis may extend until 2015 – Petilla

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

2 | Philippine Construction&Designâ&#x20AC;&#x192; November - December 2014

contents Issue No. 16 -2014

CONSTRUCTION NEWS

Calendar of Events

News Roundup

Regional Report

International Report

November-December 2014 Meralco, PLDT considers underground cables Construction of Indonesia’s Sarulla Geothermal Power Project Starts Soon

Japan to increase foreign construction workers

FEATURES

Cover Story

Project Report

Let the sun shine ASiA Enclaves combines luxury and affordability

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Construction Materials & Equipment news

Project Management

Products & Technology

Price Movement

Lightweight temporary roofing sytem based on PVC-coated lightweight polyester sheet Keeping track of project construction

Topcon Unveils New 2D, 3D Excavator Control Systems Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index in the National Capital Region (2000=100) : September 2014

28 The Philippine Construction & Design is an e-magazine published monthly by Saiber Media Inc., with business address at 121 Splendor Hills Aznar Road, Pardo, Cebu City Official website is www.philippineconstructionanddesign.com., e-mail address: saibermediaincorporated@yahoo.com.ph. Publisher is William L. Ogan. For your editorial, online subscription and advertising placement, please contact Telephone Number (632) 463-4352 | 632. 463-4347 Please send your comments and suggestion’s to saibercraft@yahoo.com. Copyright ©2014 All rights reserved. November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

Construction & Design P hi l ippine

The Magazine for Construction Professionals

Publisher :

William L. Ogan

Executive Publisher :

Josette Adiong

Editorial Editor in Chief :

William Ogan

Contributing Editor : Ed Velasco Choy Gaerlan

Ma. Nenevetch Reyes

Rizal Raoul Reyes

Graphic Artist

Anabelle Flores

For your editorial, online subscription and advertising placement, please contact Tel. No.+(63 02) 463-4352 +(63 02) 463-4347 Please send your comments and suggestion’s to saibercraft@yahoo.com.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Hospital Construction Asia November 5 – 7, 2014 Venue: Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center ( BITEC ) Location: Bangkok, Thailand Hospital Construction Asia is a 3 day event showcasing products like Accident and Emergency Equipment, Building Technology and Services, Catering and Kitchen Equipment, Communication and Information Technology, Dental Equipment and Supplies, Diagnostics, Disinfection and Disposal Systems, Electro medical Equipment / Medical Technology, Fabrics / Laundry and more etc. in the Building Construction, Medical & Pharmaceutical industries. HVAC/R Philippines 2014 November 5 – 8, 2014 Venue: SMX Convention Center Location: Manila, Philippines Air Conditioners, Air diffusers, Air Circulation parts and accessories, Air Exhausters, Blowers, Boilers, Condensing Units, Cooling Exchangers, Cooling Tower Accessories, Distribution and Conditioning Systems and Equipment, Humidity Controls, Impellers, Industrial Filtering and Purification, Industrial Pumps and Compressors, Ventilation, etc. Phil Construct 2014 November 5 – 8, 2014 Venue: SMX Convention Center Location: Pasay, Philippines The show features Building and Construction Machineries and Accessories, Building Construction and Maintenance Services, Building Demolition Machinery, Concrete Cement and Plaster, Earth Moving Machinery, Exterior Finishing Materials, Heavy Equipments Components, Interior Finishing Materials, Lighting Fixtures, Tools and General Machinery, etc. SmartRail Asia November 26 – 28, 2014 Venue: Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center Location: Bangkok, Thailand SmartRail Asia is a 3 day event showcasing products like various products and services related to rail signalling, telecoms and technology and more etc. in the Railway, Shipping & Aviation Products industry. Tools and Hardware Indonesia 2014 December 3 – 6, 2014 Venue: Jakarta International Expo,

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia A 4 day exhibition showcasing Cutting and Crimping and Punching Tools, Fastener Setting Tools, Hand tools, Hydraulic Machinery and Equipment, Power Tools, Wrenches and Drivers, Tool Kits, etc. Desalination Expo January 29-31, 2015 Venue: Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) Location: Bangkok, Thailand Desalination Expo is a 3 day event showcasing products like membrane desalination, energy recovery and saving units, thermal desalination, package systems, boron management and many more etc. in the Power, Renewable Energy & Energy Conservation, Environment & Waste Management industries. Pumps & Flow Control Expo January 29-31, 2015 Venue: Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) Location: Bangkok, Thailand Pumps & Flow Control Expo is a 3 day event showcasing products like Centrifugal Pumps, Chemical Feed Pumps, Diaphragm Pumps, Grinder Pumps, Ground Water, Pumps, Lift Station Pumps, Metering Pumps, Progressive Cavity Pumps, Reciprocating Pumps, Screw Pumps, Sludge Pumps, Submersible Pumps, Vertical Pumps, Metallic & Non-Metallic Pumps, Pump Controls, Flow Meters & Instrumentation, Flumes/Weirs, Dosing Equipment, Air Compressors,Chemical Feed Equipment, Automatic Valves, Backflow Prevention Valves, Check Valves, Gate Gloves, Plug Valves, Rotary Valves, Safety Valves, Solenoid Valves, Steam Traps, Level Controls and Measurement, Pressure Gauges and Sensors, Transducers, Infrared Thermography, Pipes and Piping Systems, Pulsation Dampeners, Lubrication Systems, Motors and Drives and more etc. in the Environment & Waste Management industry. Trenchless Tech Expo January 29-31, 2015 Venue: Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) Location: Bangkok, Thailand Trenchless Tech Expo is a 3 day event showcasing products like Micro tunneling, Drilling & Moling Equipment, Trenching Machines, Vacuum Excavation, Mud Pumps, Pipe Cleaning, Testing & Pipe Renovations, Underground Detection Equipment,

Digital Mapping and more etc. in the Computer Hardware & Software industry. ConsTech March 27 – 29, 2015 Venue: Impact Exhibition & Convention Center Location: Bangkok, Thailand CONSTECH 2015Thailand International Construction Machinery, Equipment and Technology Exhibition 2015- is now repositioned as an international exhibition and conference dedicated exclusively to construction machinery, equipment and technology. CONSTECH 2015 is now managed by IMPACT Exhibition Management Co Ltd in strategic cooperation with its international partner, Messe Munchen GmbH - the organiser of BAUMA, the world’s most successful and largest construction machinery exhibition brand. Sponsored by the Thai Contractor Association (TCA) and guided by an organising committee and advisory committee comprising key construction machinery industry players. Asia Coatings Forum: the trade show May 12 – 15, 2015 Venue: Ho Chi Minh Location: Vietnam Asia Coatings Forum points to the region of greatest development in Asia. It offers an opportunity to participate in a unique event of continued success. The show specializes in B2B and targer brings to service providers a platform for anointing their new products and techniques. It is a meeting with leaders in the paint and coatings. Asia Coatings Forum includes: suppliers of raw materials, production equipment and testing methods used in the manufacture of paints, inks, lacquers, etc. ARCHIDEX June 19 – 22, 2015 Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Center Location: Malaysia The year starts off on an exciting note with the 14th edition of ARCHIDEX, the International Architecture, Interior Design & Building Exhibition.. The region’s most significant trade exhibition has built an unsurpassed reputation for itself – drawing together on an annual basis architects, interior designers, developers and other building related professionals of the built and interior design industries.

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

NEWS ROUND-UP

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Meralco, PLDT considers underground cables

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said they are “seriously” considering on putting electricity wires and telecommunication cables underground after typhoon Glenda recently caused power outages and network disconnection across Luzon, and also suspended businesses in Metro Manila. Although PLDT has already commenced its multimillion project to install climateresilient cables underground, Pangilinan said Meralco’s power distribution lines are still overhead, which makes power outages a usual scenario during calamities. “The fiber optic backbone of PLDT is mostly underground nationwide but it’s the (last mile we’re worried about) because the electricity and cable TV wires are strung over electric posts,” he told reporters in a forum. Pangilinan said putting Meralco’s wires underground would “require more capital expenditure and need rights of way from the government,” but admitted that it is necessary. “In light of what has happened recently with Typhoon Yolanda and Glenda, we should seriously look at starting to put the wires underground. If a typhoon like Yolanda hits Manila, I can’t imagine the chaos,” he said. The Department of Energy (DOE) is seriously studying proposals to bury underground electricity cables to prevent power outages during typhoons, but warned this would also likely cause an increase in power rates. Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said the proposal should be carefully studied because it will impose additional costs to electric distributors, who would subsequently be forced to pass those costs on to consumers.

Petilla issued the statement after the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said it is “seriously” considering putting electric wires underground after the damage inflicted by Typhoon Glenda caused widespread power outages. The power outages that hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces were attributed to damaged electric wires and utility posts downed by the typhoon. Meralco Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said power outages are a usual scenario during calamities since Meralco’s power distribution lines are still overhead. Although the proposal is valid and reasonable, Petilla said it should be studied very carefully as several things should be first considered, such as the installation cost. He said the cost of putting electricity wires underground is at least five times higher than conventional overhead installation, and the added costs will be charged to the consumers. “It actually costs like concreting roads, because with the installation [of underground power lines] you have things

such as anti-flooding systems and pump systems, which are expensive and they are more difficult to maintain,” he added. To recall, Typhoon Glenda’s strong winds damaged power lines along its path from Bicol to Metro Manila. Power outages had caused disconnection of mobile network services as well as suspended operations of mass transits systems in Manila that are run by electricity, virtually paralyzing commerce in the capital. Given the strength of typhoons that had hit the country recently, Pangilinan said “we should coordinate and spend money to put these wires underground gradually in the next years because we cannot accomplish this in one year.” However, Petilla said since the county is vulnerable to calamities as it is being visited by more typhoons every year, it is a must to seriously consider the proposal. “That is what we are studying right now, the cost implication of the proposal,” he added. Ritchie A. Horario/ (KB)

DAP-funded projects to continue despite SC ruling The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will go ahead with P5billion flood control projects funded by the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) despite the Supreme Court ruling that the disbursement program is unconstitutional. DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said the projects included in the agency’s Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Laguna Lake will push through. “Contrary to the published story, we are relentlessly pursuing these projects as planned and on schedule especially at this point in time when the country is bracing for strong typhoons,” Singson said in a statement. The Supreme Court decision has clouded DPWH’s priority projects whose funds are sourced from the DAP. Singson had been quoted as saying that the DPWH has no choice but to temporarily suspend the projects until a supplemental budget is passed for them. He noted that the projects proved effective when Typhoon Glenda battered parts of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces last Wednesday. “Although some parts of Metro Manila have been inundated, the water level was not as high as the usual floods experienced before,” Singson said. He said several flood control projects included in the P5-billion fund have been completed. Among the biggest are two projects involving the Manila Bay seawall costing P211.05 million, six projects for improving the Upper Marikina River system (P222.50 million), the dredging of the Marikina River (P50 million) and the Mangahan Floodway (P100 million) and the construction of slope protection along Cainta and Taytay rivers (P190 million). There are other projects in various stages of completion, Singson said. The DPWH is also working with the Laguna Lake Development Authority in building a river control structure at Sta. Maria-Mabitac River and Sta. Cruz-San Pedro-Biñan rivers, a P780million undertaking that is 92.52 percent complete. Robertzon F. Ramirez / Manila Times

4 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

Unless the government takes bold steps to address the power crisis, the shortage in electricity that has triggered rotating brownouts in Luzon will continue until next year, said Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. He projected that Luzon will face a power shortfall between 400 megawatts and 500 megawatts (MW) by summer next year because of the scheduled maintenance of various power plants. Although there are new power plants being built, he explained that some of them will not be online by 2015, thus, the power demand will be unlikely met. “We are expecting at least six power plants that could generate 400 MW by summer but the supply is not sufficient to address the demand,” Petilla said. He noted that this is the right time for the President to declare a state of emergency in the power sector so that he can seek all remedies to the power crisis. “We still have time to act but if we do this in 2015, we can no longer address the problem,” Petilla said in a radio interview. The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) restricts the government from venturing into power generation but the Energy secretary also noted that Section 71 of the law allows the President to declare an emergency and ask the House of Representatives and the Senate to come up with a joint resolution that will authorize him to implement some measures to generate more electricity. If the President is granted emergency power, he can order the purchase or renting of modular generator sets to cover the demand, which is expected to expand in the coming days, the Energy chief said. The President met with Petilla and other energy players but Malacañang said Aquino is yet to decide on Petilla’s recommendation to declare a state of emergency. Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Petilla’s suggestion may be an effective way to allow government intervention in terms of adding supply. “Unlike in the past, the government itself was involved in generation, motu propio, on its own, it can act. But because of the [Epira] law, the structure was changed and an emergency provision was only put in place,” Coloma explained. Under the Epira regime, responsibilities of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) were divided into generation, transmission and distribution. This, according to Coloma, gave private firms the primary roles in the entire sector. The Palace official said Aquino’s decision will be made after a thorough

Photo source: www.philstar.com

Power crisis may extend until 2015 – Petilla

review and evaluation of Petilla’s concerns. But multisectoral consumer group POWER opposed Petilla’s recommendation, saying there is no need for the President to declare a state of emergency. The group cited the country’s experience when former President Fidel Ramos was granted emergency powers on April 1993 under the Emergency Power Crisis Act. It said Ramos used the authority to enter into agreements that favored Independent Power Producers that led to higher electricity rates through the imposition of the controversial Purchased Power Adjustment rates. “Emergency powers could mean long-term suffering for consumers,” Raymond Palatino, the group’s spokesman said. The group urged the government to use the P175-billion Malampaya funds to build more power plants. In Mindanao, it can rehabilitate the Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric power plants to generate more power for the island. “We fear that this proposal is part of a sinister conspiracy to justify the building of more dirty coal-fired power plants by favored cronies of the Aquino government,” Palatino said. Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chairman of the House energy panel, is also not keen on granting emergency powers to Aquino even if his fellow administration allies Representatives. Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela City (Metro Manila) and Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar backed Petilla’s proposal. “We are yet to establish if there is a crisis. What [Energy] Secretary [Jericho] Petilla said is that the power supply is thin.

Whether or not there is a crisis, we don’t know for sure. It would be premature to make conclusions [on emergency powers],” Umali told reporters. “Rest assured we will be supportive of this administration’s move in addressing the needs of the consumers, but we still need to define the parameters of those emergency powers, such as terms and conditions,” he said. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) also welcomed Petilla’s move but said purchasing power generation sets (gensets) is one way to solve the crisis. “Gensets are a quick fix but they will be very expensive and the power generated from them will be in the vicinity of P12 to P15 per kilowatt-hour,” TUCP Executive Director Luis Corral said. He noted that it would be best if the power generation sector was returned temporarily to the government “until we establish a reserve for each island grid in the range of 20 percent to 30 percent reserve of the peak demand.” The group urged the President to call upon all sectors to join in crafting a national response in the face of this crisis. “We will be one with the President in this key concern because as we have repeatedly told the economic cluster and His Excellency in our meetings in 2012 and 2013: “If there is no power, there are no investors, and there will be no new jobs. We hope to solve the power crisis which is the key in bringing about new jobs and saving current jobs,” Corral said. Joel M. Sy Egco Senior Reporter and Llanesca T. Panti Reporter/ Manila Times

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

IMF predicts lower PH growth to 6.2% The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has toned down its growth outlook for the Philippines for this year, though it stressed the growth picture for the country remains fairly strong compared with other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and in other parts of the world. The IMF said the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) may grow 6.2 percent this year, below the government’s full-year growth target for 2014 of between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent. The latest forecast is also lower than the 6.5 percent increase in GDP the IMF projected in the concluding statement on its 2014 Article IV Consultation Mission to the Philippines in March, and in its World Economic Outlook released in April. According to IMF Resident Representative to the Philippines Shanaka Jayanath Peiris, the IMF’s slightly lower outlook was mainly because of the slowdown seen in the first quarter to 5.7 percent from 6.5 percent in the last quarter of 2013. Despite this, Peiris noted that the IMF still expects the Philippines to recover as fiscal spending and exports will rebound in the second half of the year. “In the Philippines, growth outlook is predicated on the fiscal spending— government spending, especially on the [Typhoon Yolanda] reconstruction going ahead as expected in the budget. We are expecting a recovery in spending as well,” he said. Peiris noted that while government spending slowed down in the second quarter, particularly in the months of April and May, it might be offset by sustained spending in the third quarter of 2014. “We are basically assuming the government’s spending target goes according to plan,” he said, referring to the P266 billion budget deficit target of the government this year. The IMF is also expecting a rebound in the export performance of the country in the second half of the year as global economic prospects may improve. “The Philippines is considered to be among the more resilient group of emerging markets,” Peiris said. In the latest update of World Economic Outlook report, IMF said emerging market and developing economies growth is now projected to decrease to 4.6 percent in 2014 and then strengthen to 5.2 percent in 2015. The forecast for the Asean-5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam) has been revised downward from 4.9 percent to

4.6 percent for 2014, but raised slightly from 5.4 percent to 5.6 percent in 2015. The report said downside risks caused by geopolitical tensions, oil price spike and risk of a renewed rise in longer-term interest in global financial markets remain. “Emerging market economies—particularly those with domestic

BCDA invites bids for Villamor Air Base former driving range

weaknesses and external vulnerabilities—may face a sudden worsening of financial conditions and a reversal in capital flows in the event of a shift in financial market sentiment,” it stated. “Many of these economies also face the risk that the factors underpinning the weakening of growth will persist into the medium term,” the report added. As a result, the IMF said its global growth projection for 2014 has been marked down by 0.3 percent to 3.4 percent, reflecting both the legacy of the weak first quarter, particularly in the United States, and a less optimistic outlook for several emerging markets. “With somewhat stronger growth expected in some advanced economies next year, the global growth projection for 2015 remains at 4 percent,” it said. Mayvelin U. Caraballo / Manila Times

BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova

The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) announced that it is inviting real estate developers to bid for a 5,000-square meter lot that used to be the driving range at Villamor Air Base in Taguig City. BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said the lot to be sold is known as Lot 5A Villamor Driving Range and the minimum bid for the property was set at P168 million, inclusive of 12 percent VAT. He said the lot should not be confused with the existing driving range at Villamor Air Base which the BCDA has replicated and is operational. “What is being auctioned off is a lot in the institutional area where the former Villamor Airbase driving range used to be located,” Casanova said. He said the property is bounded on the northwest by the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA), on the northeast by the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), on the south by a privately owned vacant land, and on the west by an access road servicing the schools within the vicinity. “We are very optimistic that a significant number of real estate firms will join the bidding considering the location of the property,” Casanova added. Atty. Nena Radoc, chairperson of the BCDA’s Asset Disposition Program, said interested bidders may purchase the Terms of Reference (TOR) at the BCDA Corporate Center at the 2nd Floor of the Bonifacio Technology Center, Bonifacio Global City from 21 July to 26 August 2014 for a non-refundable fee of P75,000.00. The TOR may also be viewed on the BCDA website at www.bcda.gov.ph. Voltaire Palaña

6 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

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The government is pouring investment into Clark International Airport (CRK) to develop it into an aerotropolis, or an airport city as part of a long-term plan to turn it into an international hub, alongside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila and Sangley Point in Cavite. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said the airport’s passenger terminal building (PTB) was expanded in May at a cost of P417 million to better serve the public and boost annual passenger capacity to about 4 million from the previous 2.5 million. A new P7.2-billion low-cost carrier (LCC) terminal is also planned and the proposal will be presented to the National Economic Development Authority–Investment Coordination Committee in August, the DOTC said. “We see Clark International Airport (CRK) as a premier gateway alongside NAIA and Sangley, especially in view of its rapid growth over the past few years, as well as government’s development plans for the entire economic zone and the rest of the region,” DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said in a statement. The new passenger wing increased the size of the passenger terminal building from 11,439 square meters to 19,799 square meters and

nearly tripled its check-in counters from 13 to 34. In order to accommodate more passengers and ease queuing, 12 departure counters and five arrival counters have also been added. The modernized portion of the terminal itself has eight entry points and three customs stations. This allows CRK to expand its airport operations by accommodating more international flights from Qatar Airways and Emirates. CRK’s expanded operations began in May upon the completion of its Passenger Terminal Expansion Project (Phase II). For the airport’s longer-term development, the DOTC and Clark International Airport Corp (CIAC) earlier this year commissioned Aeroports de Paris (ADP)—which owns and operates the French capital’s airports—to prepare a master plan for the aerotropolis and a feasibility study for the construction of a new P7.2-billion LCC terminal to enhance the airport’s increasing popularity as a regional hub. “ADP presented its concept design for a new LCC terminal to DOTC and CIAC officials last month, and CIAC is now scheduled to present this proposal to the [NEDA]–Investment Coordination Committee in August,” Abaya said. “The proposed new budget terminal will boost CRK’s capacity further to between 8 and 16 million passengers per year. We are hoping for a smooth process in order for the project to

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Clark airport makeover into ‘aerotropolis’ in full swing

be completed within 2016,” Abaya added. “These exciting new developments signal even greater economic progress for Clark and the entire region in the coming years. We at the DOTC are encouraging its growth by equipping the airport with modern facilities to meet passenger demands today and in the future, and we hope that CRK will indeed become the low-cost carrier hub of choice for the region,” the transport chief said. Rosalie C. Periabras

www.promdino.blogspot.com

Privatization of power, basic utility firms opposed

Angat dam

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Central Luzon has assailed the government for privatizing electric and other basic utility firms in the region. The group claimed that as a result of the Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, Angat dam was sold to a Korean firm K-Water and San Roque dam to Japanese firms Marubeni Corporation. “The basic utilities and services that the gov’t is supposedly offering the people are transformed to profiteering for big foreign and local companies, thus, resulting to rising costs and inaccessibility to poor sectors of the region,” Roman Polintan, Bayan Central Luzon chairman, said. The Kansai Electric Power Co. Ltd. and San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway (SCTEx) on the other hand were allegedly sold to an Indonesian firm First Pacific Co. Ltd.; and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) to San Miguel Corporation’s Private Infra Development Corporation

Bayan – Central Luzon said that “it is habitual and natural for President Aquino to ignore the plight of poor and marginalized sectors such as the farmers, workers, youth, women, teachers, small employees and the middle class and SMEs and always favored big corporations such as the Ayala Land, San Miguel Corp., his family’s Tarlac Dev’t Corp. (Tadeco) and of big landlords. “While Aquino ignored and promised nothing about any increase in teachers’ salaries, he is also liable for their missing bonuses,” Polintan said. Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and ACT– Central Luzon are protesting the missing performance-based bonus (PBB) that the Aquino administration implemented through his Executive Order 80 in 2012. The group claimed that only one percent of the teaching sector received the maximum PBB of P35,000. The ACT and ACT – Central Luzon are demanding the P10,000 across-the-board increase, suspension of the PBB scheme and K-12 program. Bayan – CL has joined the nationwide support for BS Aquino’s impeachment and removal from office. The impeachment complaint endorsed by Bayan Muna Partylist representative Neri Colmenares, is primarily based on the P144-billion Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) scandal. “Aquino used billions of taxpayers’ money as his own pork barrel, gravely violated the constitution and promoted unconceivable magnitude of corruption,” Polintan said. “We should understand why there is inadequate budget for public education, health and other social services because Aquino has funneled public funds, controlled and used it to whatever he wishes. Aquino has broken his promises and failed the Filipino people, thus, there is no reason for him to stay one day in office and must be removed,” he added. Bayan – CL urged other sectors and groups to publicize their positions on the DAP issue, organize activities of public information and express support for the impeachment complaint. November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

NEWS ROUND-UP

Aquino administration,” Abaya said. Abaya delivered the closing remarks in last week’s Daylight Dialogue, “The Good Governance Challenge,” held at the Malacañang Palace and attended by President Benigno Aquino 3rd, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, public and private sector leaders, and other advocates of good governance and development reform. Out of the 57 projects worth P530 billion under the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program, the DOTC is set to undertake 28 major infrastructure projects. The DOTC already awarded the P1.72billion Automated Fare Collection System to the AF Consortium of Ayala and MPIC and the P17.5-billion Cebu Mactan International Airport Project to GMR-Megawide Group. The DOTC is also set to award the P64.9billon LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project to the Ayala-MPIC Group, while the agency is in the process of bidding out the P2.5-billion Integrated Terminal System Southwest Project. Other PPP projects to be bid out by the DOTC are the Laguindingan Airport operation and maintenance (O&M), New Bohol (Panglao) Airport O&M, Puerto Princesa Airport O&M, Davao Airport O&M, Bacolod Airport, and Iloilo Airport O&M, Motor Vehicle Inspection project, Mass Transit System Loop and the North-South Commuter Rail, which would start from Malolos in Bulacan to Calamba in Laguna. Other projects include the O&M and extension of the Light Rail Transit Line 2, Davao Sasa Port and the Integrated Terminal System North and South Projects. Since launching its PPP Program in 2010, the Aquino administration has awarded the contracts to following seven projects to private entities: P2.01-billion Daang

Hari-SLEX Link Road; P15.52-billion NAIA Expressway; P16.42-billion PPP for School Infrastructure Phase 1; P8.80billion PPP for School Infrastructure Phase 2; P5.69-billion Modernization of Philippine Orthopedic Center; P1.72-billion Automatic Fare Collection System; and P17.5-billion Mactan-Cebu International Airport Passenger Terminal Building. Abaya stressed that major investments in infrastructure would spur the country’s development. “Imagine if we have a fully-operational freight rail system running across Luzon, allowing agri-based workers to move their produce hundreds of kilometers in a matter of hours, from their farms and fishing grounds, to their consumer markets. Imagine if we have highly-functional roro (roll-on, roll off) routes, which allow interisland shipment of these goods and cargos at affordable prices, expanding even further their market access,” Abaya said. The official also said that in the past 15 to 20 years, hardly any major investments were made, partly due to the negative perception of international investors, the lack of political will, and a deeply rooted culture of corruption. “Ultimately, the result has been the disenfranchisement of the less fortunate. They have not been given a fair shot, an equal opportunity, to enjoy the benefits of a clean government that serves the people, not those in power,” Abaya said. “We have chosen to put an end to those dark days of our history. We have chosen to pursue what is right, and to disabuse all notions that only different shades of gray will prevail in government,” he added. Rosalie C. Periabras

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supply and inclement weather in the fourth quarter that softened demand. Its sales last year were flat compared with 6.6 million tons in 2012. The cement industry recorded 5.6% growth in 2013 sales, a much slower pace than the 17.7% in 2012, when the government stepped up construction spending. The government has increased the construction budget this year to 400 billion pesos ($8.9 billion) from 304 billion pesos last year. It also plans to spend more for reconstruction in areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. Meanwhile, real estate developers have

increased capital expenditures for 2014. “We hope to grow with the industry this year, maybe more, depending on our competitors,” said Eduardo Sahagun, who is also president of Holcim. In 2012, the cement company’s sales were up 20% as it took some market share. Mr. Sahagun said that with the additional 500,000 tons of capacity from its Batangas grinding plant, which was reopened last August, the company is again in a position to take market share as it did in 2012, when its sales outstripped the market with 20% growth. Mr. Sahagun said it will decide this year whether it will still pursue a plan to build a $500 million cement plant that would add up to 2.5 million tons of cement production capacity. He said that decision will take into account the excess supply in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, where Holcim could import cement. He pointed out that with sales of around 19.5 million tons last year, additional growth of 6% this year could push consumption to the level of the industry’s installed capacity of 21 million tons. It takes about 14 months to build a new cement plant. Mr. Sahagun said the decision to build a new plant will also have to consider the higher cost of labor and electricity in the Philippines. He said the daily wage in the Philippines of around $10 is triple that in Vietnam. “That is why we have to increase our productivity here,” he added. Cris Larano

Holcim to match Forecast of 6% Growth in 2014 Holcim Philippines Inc. (HLCM.PH) expects sales this year to at least match the cement industry’s projected growth of 6%, aided by the company’s additional capacity and higher demand due to construction projects planned by the government and the private sector, the chief executive of the Philippine-listed cement manufacturer said Thursday. Holcim, which accounts for one-third of the Philippine cement market, failed to keep in step with the market last year due to a maintenance shutdown in the third quarter that limited cement

DOTC to invest in more infrastructures Thousands of people from Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite take the bus to Metro Manila daily, braving hours of commute just to get to their schools and workplaces. Recognizing this, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has vowed to resolve issues hounding the country’s transportation sector within the next 10 years. DOTC Secretary Emilio Abaya, in a speech at Malacañang last week, quipped, “As Transportation Secretary, I cannot help but talk about trains, planes, and automobiles.” He underlined, however, that transportation is also about enhancing access to opportunities. In line with this belief, the DOTC secretary related that the agency aims to drastically improve the country’s transportation infrastructures. “We envision erasing the backlog in transportation infrastructure over the next five to 10 years, in such a way that the infrastructure we build will meet the country’s needs for the 10 to 20 years that follow,” Abaya said. To attain this, he said that the DOTC has adopted a fairer and more transparent approach in the implementation of its projects. “Fairness, openness, and transparency are the hallmarks of bidding and procurement processes under the law. They are the hallmarks of the procurement process under the

8 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

DPWH to ease Cebu traffic with road widening Canlas added that when the agency filed the expropriation cases in December last year, 10 percent of the total zonal value of the affected properties was deposited in the bank of the Clerk of Courts. “Sorry for those expropriation cases. There’s no intent to harass. We just want to save the funds,” he said. Based on their parcellary plan, DPWH Planning Division chief Engr. Nonito Paylado said there are a total of 136 lots affected by the road widening—63 of them in Banilad and 73 in Talamban. Canlas said, though, that there are 11 properties that have not been included in the expropriation case as these are identified as free patent lots. Canlas said they will no longer be paying the families for the use of the lot for the road widening project, but only for the improvements made on their structures. While it has yet to receive the DPWH’s application to remove the 39 trees, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Visayas urged DPWH to prepare the requirements. Eddie Llamedo, DENR 7 spokesperson, said that once DPWH applies to earth-ball or remove trees growing within the road widening project in Banilad and Talamban, they will need to secure requirements, such as getting the barangays to support the trees’ removal. Before that, DENR 7 will conduct an inventory of trees growing along the Banilad-Talamban road, to check if there is a need to remove any. Their recommendations

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THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 is pushing through with a road widening project in the Cebu Banilad-Talamban corridor, in order to ease the traffic congestion. The project, which costs P150 million, was suspended in December last year because of problems with the road-right-of-way acquisition. The road widening that DPWH 7 is doing near the University of San Carlos (USC)-Talamban Campus already signals the resumption of the project. In a project briefing with Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north district), DPWH 7 Director Ador Canlas said the road widening will cover 1.5 kilometers and will start in the area where RD Pawnshop (after the Banilad flyover) is, all the way to the Petron Station in Talamban. Canlas said that the DPWH had started implementing the project last February but it was suspended by October because of the failure to acquire road-right-of-way (RROW). In early December, Canlas said, they resumed work after the Del Rosario family gave DPWH an entry permit to their property. DPWH widened 250 meters of road. However, another suspension order was issued by DPWH in late December since more RROW problems left them with no area to work on. The project resumed after USC gave DPWH the RROW entry permit. DPWH is widening 300 meters of road and is expected to finish the project in two months. Initially, Canlas said, the road widening project in Banilad and Talamban was supposed to have been finished last Novembert. With the delays, DPWH has revised their target and hopes to finish the entire project by March next year.“Hopefully, there will be no more extension,” he said. DPWH seeks to widen the road from 12.38 meters at present to 13.4 meters. According to Canlas, DPWH has already filed expropriation cases for the other privatelyowned lots affected by the project, since negotiating with lot owners is tedious. But aside from expropriation being faster, Canlas said the main reason they filed cases was to save the P150-million fund needed for the project. This had been part of the 2013 national budget. “RROW acquisition is a tedious one, particularly the negotiation. If the negotiation bogged down (before 2013), the funds would be reverted to the National Government. We resorted to expropriation so that the fund will already be obligated,” he said.

will be sent to the DENR Central office in Manila. Canlas also asked the Visayan Electric Co. (Veco) and telecommunication companies to start removing their posts along the Banilad-Talamban corridor that will be affected by the road widening. There are a total of 157 posts in the area. Bunny Pages, head of the BanTal Task Force, said he will be communicating with Veco regarding the matter. DPWH is also asking the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) to remove or transfer ¬¬¬sayan, MCWD’s production division head, said they are willing to transfer these. But Husayan is asking DPWH to spare from their road widening project the wells located before and after USC, which produce 3,000 cubic meters of water per day and 5,000 cubic meters of water per day, respectively. “If that goes, it will have a huge effect on our consumers,” she said, adding that it also supplies water to Mactan Island. Canlas said DPWH will inspect the wells. As for the trees, Canlas yesterday said there will be some 39 trees that will be affected by the project. He said they have already applied for a permit from the DENR to earthball these trees. They have not received a reply yet. Del Mar, for his part, yesterday said what is important is the project will push through and that there are funds. Canlas said it was Del Mar who has helped secure the funds for the road widening in the Banilad-Talamban area.After the project briefing yesterday, DPWH together with Del Mar, Pages and representatives of MCWD inspected the traffic in Banilad and Talamban, and surveyed the area where the road widening will be implemented. Justin K. Vestil and Princess Dawn H. Felicitas

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

NEWS ROUND-UP

Mariwasa, GMA Kapuso turnover newly-built classrooms in Yolanda-hit Guiuan town Guiuan, Eastern Samar – Mariwasa, the country’s leading tile maker, once again joins GMA Foundation Kapuso in the inauguration of several high school and elementary school classrooms in Brgy. Sulangan of the said typhoon-hit town. A total of five (5) rehabilitated classrooms and two (2) new classrooms were turned over in Sulangan National High School and six (6) restored classroom plus (2) new classrooms were also turned over in Sulangan Central Elementary School, all of which have a toilet inside the classroom where Mariwasa tiles were installed. The ceremony was attended by GMA Kapuso Foundation, INC. (GMAKF) executive vice president and chief operating officer Ms. Carmela “Mel” Tiangco, together with several school and municipality officials and representatives of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. (MSC). In November last year, supertyphoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) devastated vast parts of the Visayas area which left tens of thousands of people severely affected. Guiuan, a coastal town situated at the southern tip of Samar island, bore the brunt of the typhoon as it was the place where Yolanda first made landfall. The storm completely levelled the whole town damaging houses and buildings and leaving more than a hundred people dead or missing.

10 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

Ms. Carmela “Mel” Tiangco (right), GMAKF executive vice president and chief operating officer joins school and municipality officials in the ribbon-cutting ceremonies of Sulangan National High School in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. At the same month, MSC partnered with GMAKF and donated P1,000,000.00 worth of relief goods and in-kind products for rehabilitation use to help fellow Filipinos alleviate their suffering caused by the disaster. MSC and GMAKF are long time partners in uplifting the lives of our countrymen in need as part of the former’s corporate social responsibility and the latter’s mission and long-standing initiative as a socio-civic foundation.

REGIONAL REPORT

It’s 60 years since the French were dominating Phnom Penh’s architecture, so should we now be battling to save it, or other parts of our country’s heritage?

Bon voyage or deja vu? As Cambodia on Saturday celebrates the 60th anniversary of independence from France, the Phnom Penh property market is still in a quandary about how much colonial architectural heritage should be preserved. Many historic buildings have already gone, some are on the brink of survival, while others, restored close to their former glory, are testament to how the city earned its reputation of once being the Pearl of Asia. Just how much French architectural heritage should be saved and at what cost has become a contentious issue. The legacy constitutes part of Phnom Penh’s identity, but some believe the New Khmer Architecture is more vulnerable than its European predecessor. Others believe in development at all cost. Andeol Cadin, a French architect resident in Phnom Penh for nine years, said this week the preservation of French colonial architecture was a culturally sensitive issue. He was reiterating the thoughts of others earlier this year, notably fellow architect and Khmer Architecture Tours guide Yam Sokly and Royal University of Phnom Penh linguistic professor Jean-Michel Fillippi. Whereas the preservation of any noteworthy architecture was in itself worthwhile, Cadin said there were many competing interests in Cambodia that had to be balanced and many perspectives taken into account. “We all like to see historic buildings preserved, but you have to see it in a cultural context,” he said. “For instance, although there are still many French colonial buildings preserved in Phnom Penh, and many that still could be, the number of outstanding examples of the New Khmer Architecture is rapidly declining,” he said. “It is quite possible that within a few years there may be none left at all.

“The New Khmer Architecture movement is globally recognised – that’s how important it is. So no one could blame people concerned about Cambodian culture to be putting more effort into rescuing those examples. Perhaps that’s where the focus and efforts should be.” Yam Sokly said this week there had been a few more demolitions of French colonial architecture since the start of year, but that so far he wasn’t aware of any further buildings being restored. Sokly said the famous colonial police commissariat (on the corner of Street 13 and 98 and pictured on the front page) did not appear to be deteriorating any more rapidly than before. “It is slightly damaged and deteriorated. But off course, with proper maintenance every building will be slowly deteriorating,” he said. “It will be quite a long time before that building is no longer able be rescued. Because the building’s structure is super strong. So far, no serious cracks have appeared on the walls. Sokly said he still held out hopes for Postal Square becoming a protected heritage zone. “There has been lots of discussion on that issue. Off course, Town Hall is planning something and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is working to propose it as a protected area in the future. “There is a semi-formal registration (of historic buildings) by the municipality and the government of Cambodia. That registration includes the date of the location, date of construction, style of the building, a short description of the master plan of the building, and some other information too.” Sokly’s business, Khmer Architecture Tours, will be holding a cyclo tour of historic Phnom Penh sites next Sunday (email-

contact@ka-tours.org). Sokly said at the start of the year that the city’s urban design philosophy stood at a crossroad: it could become Paris, where old buildings spanning back centuries have been well preserved; or New York, where urban preservation failed to take hold in time to save much of its architectural heritage. Fillippi, who wrote the book Strolling Around Phnom Penh, said in January: “You can’t protect at any cost, that’s impossible.” “You should find solutions of compromise here and there that will still preserve the appearance of a building,” he said. While the appearance of an old building may be preserved, its function may have to be dramatically overhauled for the needs of a modern society. “You should find solutions of compromise here and there that will still preserve the appearance of a building.” Filippi suggests that a similar solution be found for the commissariat. “You could destroy the interior but keep the façade,” he says. “I think that such compromises will be the rule in the coming years.” Filippi believes the overall prognosis for Cambodia’s French cultural heritage is positive. “I don’t think that the French heritage is endangered in any sense. “We have enough French buildings here, comparatively much more than in Saigon.” However, he believes the New Khmer Architecture is more vulnerable than the French, due to the former’s emphasis on external space. “In the ’60s, space was an essential notion of architecture. Not only the building itself, but what surrounded the building was absolutely essential. And of course, that space which was part of that architectural composition is threatened because they now build everything they can around it.” Such was the case with Vann Molyvann’s Olympic Stadium, which originally contained a series of pools surrounding the complex that were designed to absorb flood waters during the rainy season. However, that area was filled in with new structures when a Taiwanese firm developed the area in 2000. In addition to harming Vann Molyvann’s architectural vision, the modification has increased incidences of flooding in the area. “It is a very dubious conception,” Filippi says. Such intentional functionality was an integral part of the New Khmer Architecture movement which, according to Fillippi, was unique in the region for its combination of brilliant aesthetics and striking practicality. “I think it is one of the most original types of architecture. Cambodia was the only country in the ‘60s to have this modern, functional architecture in Southeast Asia.”

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

REGIONAL REPORT

Construction of Indonesia’s Sarulla Geothermal Power Project Starts Soon After a long delay, Indonesia will finally start construction of the world’s largest geothermal power plant, the USD $1.6 billion Sarulla project, in June 2014. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Chairul Tanjung said earlier this week that the groundbreaking of the Sarulla project will start very soon as the government had settled the financial framework. The project was already initiated in 1990 but shelved due to various issues, including the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2016. The Sarulla geothermal power project is led by a consortium which consists of Medco Power Indonesia (37.5 percent), Itochu Corporation (25 percent), Kyushu Electric Power Company (25 percent) and, lastly, Ormat International (12.5 percent). Medco Power Indonesia is a subsidiary of PT Medco Energi Internasional, an Indonesian oil and gas exploration and production company. About USD $1 billion of the project costs will be financed by loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Asia Development Bank (ADB). Other financial institutions that are involved in the project are the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd, ING Bank NV (a unit of ING Groep NV), Societe Generale, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corportation, Mizuho Bank Ltd and National Australia Bank. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) informs: “the Sarulla project will develop the

steam resources, and design, finance, construct, operate as well as maintain geothermal power plants with a total net guaranteed deliverable capacity of approximately 300 MW for 30 years. The project will be the largest singlecontract geothermal power project upon completion, representing the large scale, high productivity and great potential of Indonesian geothermal resources.” With about 40 percent of total global geothermal energy potential, Indonesia is estimated to have the world’s largest geothermal energy reserves. Indonesia’s largest reserves are located in the western part of the country (Sumatra, Java and Bali). However, the country only taps about four to five percent of its geothermal potential as exploration and exploitation have been hindered by law. Geothermal exploitation is lawfully defined as a ‘mining activity’ (Law No. 27 2003) and thus prohibited to be conducted in protected forest and conservation areas (Law No. 41 1999), despite the fact that geothermal mining activities have a relatively small impact on the environment (compared to other mining activities). As about 60 percent of Indonesia’s geothermal energy reserves are located in conservation areas, it therefore seriously blocks the development of its geothermal potential. At the end of 2013 a new bill was submitted to the parliament (DPR) which separates geothermal development from mining activities. The government targets to enhance the role of renewable energy in the country’s

energy mix in order to reduce dependency on expensive and exhaustive fossil fuels. Geothermal energy is projected to contribute 12 percent to Indonesia’s energy mix by 2025. However, this will require large investments and may be an unrealistic target. Demand for power in Indonesia grows by 7 percent per year and therefore the government plans to add 60 gigawatts of capacity to its existing grid by 2022. Moreover, when the 330-MW Sarulla geothermal plant commences operations, it is expected to save the country around IDR 4 trillion (USD $348 million) in annual electricity subsidies. The Sarulla geothermal power station will replace Star Energy’s Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Station as the country’s largest geothermal power station. The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Station, located South of Bandung (West Java), has a total installed capacity of 227 MW.

A seminar introducing green building strategies in accordance with Vietnam’s different climate zones was opened in Hanoi early this year by German consultancy firm Fairventures Worldwide and Xella Baustoffe Vietnam. At the conference, the issues of technical design were analysed by Vietnamese and foreign experts to derive suitable construction principles in accordance with the climatic conditions in each region of Vietnam and to achieve standards of green buildings to reduce their environmental impacts. According to experts, green (or energyefficient) building is innate to basic architectural principles such as building orientation on the site to optimize or diminish solar exposure, amount of natural light, natural ventilation and usage of building materials suited to the climate. It could be achieved by using constructive sun protection methods, a double shell roof for shading and ventilation, or a better

arrangement of windows. Architects may also increase the size of opening areas or use materials suitable for local climatic conditions such as bamboo. Sebastian Wallenwien, an architect with Fairventures Worldwide, said that a project is considered to be green when it achieves efficient use of energy, water and other resources, while minimising the impacts of buildings on human health and reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation. Dr. Pham Ngoc Dang, chairman of the Green Building Council Vietnam and the Vietnam Association of Construction Engineering and Environment, said that green building is an integral part of urban and rural sustainable development. Dr. Dang also introduced international

12 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

http://en.nhandan.org.vn/

Green buildings strategy to match Vietnam’s climate

delegates to Vietnam’s national strategy for developing green buildings by 2020, which covers the major issues of green buildings including environmentally sustainable building site planning and design; efficient use of energy, water, and materials; air quality inside the buildings; and waste minimization. Vietnam intends to step up its green building movement; 30% of newly built and renovated buildings using State funding are expected to qualify as green buildings by 2020, as are 10% of those using private funds. Those figures are expected to double by 2030.

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Ministry confirms compensation for villagers affected by Luang Prabang airport The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has confirmed that all villagers affected by the Luang Prabang airport expansion project will receive compensation. Deputy Director General of the Land Administration Department Mr Anothai Chanthalasy on behalf of the ministry responded to a question raised by affected families in Phakhom village in Luang Prabang province. The villagers said they have proposed to relevant authorities to pay their compensation but the issue has yet to be addressed despite the airport project having already been completed. Mr Anothai said his ministry has coordinated with the relevant sectors aiming to address the concerns of the villagers. In fact, Luang Prabang authorities have set up a committee to take charge of compensating the affected villagers. He said the authorities have prioritised the affected villagers over the total 677 land plots covering a number of villages affected by the project before paying compensation. In the first instance compensation is paid only to families whose houses and land plots have been affected by the project, aiming to ensure that these people are able to build new houses and continue their livelihoods. These families have been given a 15m

x 20m land plot per household in an area nearby the airport. Their houses and growing land have been compensated for in cash. Vacant land plots will be compensated for later on, which includes the 77 land

plots in Phakhom village. Mr Anothai said the authorities wanted to pay compensation for these affected villagers straight away but they encountered financial difficulties, causing compensation to be delayed until now. He expected that authorities will be able to compensate the rest of the affected families in the 2015-16 fiscal year, saying that villagers should not worry too much as they will definitely be compensated. The government decided to expand Luang Prabang airport in response to the growing number of tourists visiting the World Heritage town despite the project affecting many families. However, they are committed to ensuring that all these families will receive their compensation. With the value of construction at more than US$86 million, the upgraded airport is now able to accommodate bigger aircraft, especially Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s in response to national development needs. Since the new expansion project has been completed, more flights have landed in Luang Prabang with a rising number of tourists to the province, generating more income to boost provincial development. In 2013, the number of overseas visitors in the province reached 343,000 and the province set its ambitious goal for tourist arrivals at 500,000 this year. By Somsack Pongkhao

Vietnam building show a roaring success Held at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center last June, one of Asia’s leading international construction & building exhibition VICB 2014 incorporating “RAHV VIETNAM 2014”, “SECURITY & FIRE VIETNAM 2014” and “LIGHTING VIETNAM 2014” had come to a successful close. Exhibitors had thumbed-up their overall success positively of customer contacts and achievement of the business potential. The 3-day fair featured: - 102 exhibitors representing 13 countries and regions from China, Czech Republic, France, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, U.S.A. and Vietnam showcasing an array of the latest machinery & equipment, building materials, innovative technology & keen services to quality buyers. - National pavilions from Korea Plastic Processing Machine Industry - KPPMIC & KOTRA (Korea) and the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Korea) had pledged their great support by joining the VICB 2014 confirming the importance of Vietnam as the marketplace of business potential. - Attracted 6,691 quality buyers from 23 countries & regions, up 5% compare to 6,373 in 2013. -2 visitor delegations led by the Waya mba Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sri-Lanka) and the Office of the Broad of Investment (Thailand) had visited the fair to share industrial news, sourcing new products, making new contacts and looking for new partners November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

REGIONAL REPORT

Is There Really a Shortage of Construction Workers?

One of the mysteries of the housing market’s uneven rebound centers on what home builders say is a shortage of qualified workers. Anecdotal concerns about a shortage don’t quite add up for many economists, who say if there was truly a shortage of skilled construction workers, then the share of construction workers who say they’re seeking employment and can’t find any would be lower. July’s report on the job market shows that the unemployment rate for construction workers has fallen to 7.5%, back to 2007 levels. Still, that level is higher than pre-recession norms, and the ratio of construction workers to housing starts stands roughly 40% above the pre-crisis level, suggesting considerable slack.

And if employment for construction workers was tight, then wages would be rising faster; much of the recent pick-up in residential construction wages has barely recouped the big drop in average paychecks during the bust.

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If labor shortages “were truly having a first-order effect on retarding growth in the housing market, one would naturally expect to see wages for construction workers and prices of construction supplies rapidly accelerating,” said economists at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in a June report. “Nothing like this is even remotely occurring in the data.” So are builders’ complaints of a worker shortage not credible? Not necessarily. Anecdotal and survey data suggest builders may face a shortage of specific laborers in certain markets, even though concerns about a widespread labor shortage may be over the top. A survey released by the National Association of Home Builders last month sheds some light on the disconnect. The survey showed that the specific tradesmen that are most in demand tend to be framers and carpenters—trades whose skills are fairly specific to putting up new homes and less transferable to other fields. Painters, roofers, electricians and other workers who might have found employment doing remodeling or other improvement work throughout the downturn have been easier to come by, according to the builders’ survey. The upshot may be that the framers and carpenters—who are both harder to find right now and who may have had fewer work opportunities during the downturn— may have “quit the sector entirely,” says Paul Diggle of Capital Economics, in a recent report.

Overall, the builders’ survey found that 46% of respondents reported worker shortages among nine different categories of tradesmen, up from 34% in 2013 and 21% in 2012. The NAHB stopped polling its members during the housing bust, but the 46% figure is higher than in any of the surveys between 2002 and 2006, when builders were putting up twice as many homes. The figure is lower than during the 1996 to 2000 period, when the economy was growing much faster than it is today and the unemployment rate reached 4%.

The upshot, says Celia Chen, a housing economist at Moody’s Analytics, is that “aggregate numbers miss nuances in the home building industry.” Labor data don’t distinguish between individual markets and between skilled and unskilled workers. As

a result, “builders could struggle to find labor in some sub-markets despite a balanced national market.” For example, the NAHB says its members are reporting bigger shortages among subcontractors, which account for a large portion of home-building jobs and which tend to be self-employed workers or sole proprietors that could go uncounted as employers or employees by government statisticians. Builders’ labor headaches could be a reason that they’ve been aggressively pushing to raise prices, a move that appeared to backfire after mortgage rates jumped last summer, robbing home sellers of more pricing power. Nearly two thirds of builders surveyed by the trade group said worker shortages had led them to pay higher wages, and three in five said that shortages had made it harder to finish projects on time. (This story offers a deeper dive on builders’ labor headaches and potential effects on housing markets.) The NAHB survey also showed that builders reported that labor costs for their own employees had gone up 2.9% in June from six months earlier, compared to gains of 1.4% in March 2013 from six months earlier. Costs for subcontractors rose by 3.8% in June, compared to 2.8% in March 2013.

Butterly bridge to fly over to Island Diamond Island may see another new concrete bridge, this time in the form of a butterfly. The proposed 100-metre long bridge from Phnom Penh to Diamond Island would be similar in height to the current Rainbow Bridge, Touch Samnang, a project manager of developer OCIC, said. No construction date has been set yet because the land on the opposite side was owned by POSCO, which still had to settle the proposal with City Hall, he said. “The newly-planned bridge has large

width and two vehicles can drive on both sides. This construction can help facilitate traffic and make Diamond Island more beautiful,” Touch Samnang said. “The project will cost some $ 2 million,” he said. Construction of the Butterfly Bridge would begin soon and OCIC was responsible for covering its own building costs, Keo Sothy, assistant to an OCIC deputy general manager, said. City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said he did not know about the project and

declined to comment further. Diamond Island was becoming a recreation and active business centre, with many people moving there, so building another bridge would help make it even more popular, the general manager of VMC Real Estate Cambodia, Dith Channa, said. “Having more roads for traffic is much better and it will make land on the island more costly and of interest to more people,” he said.

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

regional report

www.en.aseantoday.info

Google Street View comes to Laos

The Lao government in collaboration with Google has announced that the Street View service will be coming to Laos, state-run daily Vientiane Times reported on Thursday. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications in conjunction with Google Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd of Google Inc. made the announcement, and the work will soon begin on the service. Google Street View is a feature of the popular Google Maps website which helps users to navigate and find locations or businesses of interest. The program hopes to capture photos of Lao life, showcasing tourism destinations, lifestyle, culture as well as local businesses. The Google Street View team uses a vehicle equipped with a camera capable of taking 360 degree photographs in high resolution as the car navigates the roads of Laos.

Phoukhong Chitlooklok, director general of the ministry’s Cooperation and Planning Department said that the internet had become a valuable source of information and that the Street View program would prove convenient to those visiting the country. “We are excited about the use of Google Maps and Street View in Laos because it will allow many people to discover our country and effectively plan their journey when travelling around Laos,” Phoukhong said. “It will also allow people to explore the country online and effectively give us an opportunity to showcase the beautiful Laos and its rich culture on a global platform,” he added. Street View has rapidly grown since its launch in 2007 when it featured several U.S. cities. In June 2012, Google announced that

affected villagers over the total 677 land plots covering a number of villages affected by the project before paying compensation. In the first instance compensation is paid only to families whose houses and land plots have been affected by the project, aiming to ensure that these people are able to build new houses and continue their livelihoods. These families have been given a 15m x 20m land plot per household in an area nearby the airport. Their houses and growing land have been compensated for in cash. Vacant land plots will be compensated for later on, which includes the 77 land plots in Phakhom village. Mr Anothai said the authorities wanted to pay compensation for these affected villagers straight away but they encountered financial difficulties, causing compensation to be delayed until now. He expected that authorities will be able to

16 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

it had captured 20 petabytes of data for Street View comprised of photos taken along 5 million miles of road, covering 39 countries and around 3,000 cities. Laos is the seventh country in Southeast Asia to receive the service behind Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. At the project launch, Divon Lan, Google Next Wave Emerging Markets product manager said that close attention will be paid to state and personal privacy. Permission will be obtained from the government before proceeding into forbidden areas. “The photos censor every individual’s face and vehicle license plates, with some people also requesting not to show their residence on the map. We will abide by the individual’s wishes, however they need to contact us to let us know,” Lan said at the event. Vientiane will be the first focus of the project with data collection expected to take two to three months. After Vientiane, the project will move to other provinces. It is unknown how long it will take the team to complete documentation of the country. “We can’t estimate when it will be finished as several factors such as road construction and weather may affect the process,” Lan said. Phonpasith Phissamay, a representative from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications said that the ministry would check the images after they were uploaded onto the Google Maps website. Phonpasith asked the public to cooperate and pay special attention to keeping the streets clean for better pictures. “The photos will be seen on Google Maps for many years, therefore we need to keep the area nice and clean to promote our country to the world,” he said. compensate the rest of the affected families in the 2015-16 fiscal year, saying that villagers should not worry too much as they will definitely be compensated. The government decided to expand Luang Prabang airport in response to the growing number of tourists visiting the World Heritage town despite the project affecting many families. However, they are committed to ensuring that all these families will receive their compensation. With the value of construction at more than US$86 million, the upgraded airport is now able to accommodate bigger aircraft, especially Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s in response to national development needs. Since the new expansion project has been completed, more flights have landed in Luang Prabang with a rising number of tourists to the province, generating more income to boost provincial development. In 2013, the number of overseas visitors in the province reached 343,000 and the province set its ambitious goal for tourist arrivals at 500,000 this year. By Somsack Pongkhao

New Comansa Jie tower crane at Bauma China Tower crane manufacturer Comansa Jie, subsidiary of Linden Comansa in China, will unveil a brand new tower crane at the upcoming Bauma China, to be held in Shanghai from November 25th to 28th, 2014. It will be the seventh edition of this tradeshow, which is the most important event of the Construction Machinery sector in Asia. Full details of the new Comansa Jie tower crane will be given during Bauma China, where visitors will be able to see the crane erected on a 4.5 meter foldingcross base. A slewing part, with the hoisting and slewing winches, will be also exhibited on ground level for a better show of details, and allowing demonstrations with the remote control. At Bauma China, Comansa Jie will also voice the enlargement of its factory in Hangzhou, 190 kilometers away from Shanghai, and the expansion of its plant coverage to 38,000m2. These new prem-

ises will allow Comansa Jie to increase its production and to offer a wider range of tower cranes with higher capacities. Comansa Jie’s expectations of the new tower crane and the tradeshow are high. “The new model will improve our range and will allow us to have a better share in large markets like China or India. During the last Bauma China in 2012, we received orders worth 8 million US dollars approximately, which was fantastic.

We hope that the new crane will help us to achieve a similar success in the 2014 show”, says Andy Huang, Comansa Jie’s General Manager. Asia is a very important market not only for Comansa Jie but also for Linden Comansa. Therefore, a sales team from Linden Comansa in Spain will fly to Shanghai to accompany Comansa Jie at Bauma China and to welcome friends and customers from all over the world.

Korean investors eye opportunities from new Construction Law Korean investors are seeking opportunities to expand investment in Viet Nam’s construction sector following the implementation of the 2014 Construction Law, a conference revealed. The gathering attracted the participation of 25 Korean investors such as Daewoo, Lotte, Samsung, Hyundai and Hanshin to discuss opportunities presented by the new law. The Academy of Managers for Construction and Cities (AMC), International Co-operation Department under the Ministry of Construction and Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS) organized the event. Hoang Tho Vinh, Deputy Director of the Construction Activities Management Agency, said the 10-chapter law would take effect at the beginning of 2015 and replace the 2003 Construction Law. Vinh revealed that the law aimed to tighten the management of construction quality, ensure transparency in construction licensing and prevent planning overlap to enhance construction efficiency.

Kim Kyungil of KRIHS said that South Korean investors with prior experience in Viet Nam saw new opportunities, explaining that new investment opportunities would arise from changes to the setting up, evaluation, approval and licensing of construction projects. He said that the Korean business community would continue to increase investment in Viet Nam in the future. Nguyen Noi, deputy director of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said Viet Nam’s legal framework on investment and construction would help encourage investment from large firms with strong financial reserves and sophisticated technology. This would also help achieve the nation’s foreign direct investment (FDI) targets. Noi added that Viet Nam should continue to improve its investment climate to attract more investment in the country’s support industry and infrastructure sector. In addition, South Korean investments in

High-rise skyscraper Lotte Center Hanoi, financed by South Korea’s Lotte Group. In the first eight months of 2014, South Korea invested $2.47 billion in Viet Nam, making it the largest investor in the country. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuan Anh green industries should also be encouraged, he said. Government figures showed that South Korea has so far invested in 3,930 projects worth US$32.845 billion. This makes South Korea the second biggest investor among more than 100 countries and territories with investments in Viet Nam. In the first eight months of the year, South Korea was the largest investor in Viet Nam, with a total capital of $2.47 billion or 34.1 per cent of total newly-registered FDI. VNS

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

www.japandailypress.com

Japan to increase foreign construction workers

Japan may let more foreign workers from Asia work at construction sites under an on-the-job training system ahead of the construction boom in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Law revisions are expected to start this year. With the deregulation, the construction industry may become more

dependent on foreign workers. At present, about 150,000 foreigners are working in Japan with entry permits under the onthe-job training system, including 10,000 to 15,000 in the construction sector. Under current regulations, the system is not applicable to simple labor and limited to skilled labor such as assembly

www.raillynews.com

China To Dispatch 5000 Workers

18 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

of reinforced steel for buildings and the operation of construction machinery. The government may also allow foreign workers who have already returned home after the three-year training period to re-enter Japan as trainees, the officials said. Another option being weighed is the doubling or tripling of the upper limit on the number of foreign trainees per company, now restricted to around 5 percent of each firm’s workforce. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism expects construction for stadiums and other Olympic facilities to get under way in 2015. “We should start revising the system as quickly as possible by taking into account the time needed for immigration authorities to examine applications” from foreign workers to enter Japan, a senior LDP lawmaker said. But there are also concerns that some companies might seek to take advantage of the revised regulations to cut their regular workforce by hiring foreign trainees for simple labor. At present, some 70 percent of foreign construction workers under the on-the-job training system are from China. The government is keen to accept more workers, especially from Vietnam, which is enjoying a construction boom due to a growing number of Japanese companies relocating production bases to that country.

The China Road & Bridge Corporation will send in 5,000 workers to work on the standard gauge railway. Kenya signed a Sh314.2 billion deal with China for the construction of the Mombassa Nairobi railway. The deal is to be executed in phases starting with the standard gauge railway project which is to cover 609.3km from the port of Mombassa to Nairobi. The China Exim Bank and the Kenyan Government will share the costs in a 90:10 ratio, and some 30,000 Kenyans are projected to be employed by the project once completed. Managing Director of the Kenya Railway Corporation, Atanas Maina spoke on the construction scheduled to start this September; “The contractor will bring in the workers and get additional ones locally. We have also commenced discussions to reduce timelines and ensure that the project is completed by 2017.” President Kenyatta had earlier said during a televised interview that the first phase of the project will link Kenya and other Eastern African counterparts and should be concluded in 2018. He also revealed that the Standard Gauge Railway is to provide efficient and cost effective transport for freight and passengers, thereby reducing the cost of doing business. Passenger trains will move at a speed of 120 km per hour while the trains for freight will be made to travel at 80 km per hour. “It will take passengers four hours and thirty minutes to travel from Mombassa to Nairobi while freight will take eight hours. The project will take 42 months to complete,” said Kenyatta. Editor Business, Mining & Construction

www.railwayinsider.eu

Cost of High Speed Rail in China One Third Lower

proportion of special bridges tend to have a high unit cost. Railway stations play a dual role as transport hubs and urban centers. Small stations (3,000 sq m station building) cost about RMB 40 million and account for 1.0 to 1.5 percent of the total project cost, while mega stations may cost up to RMB 13 billion and are frequently built as independent

South Korea to help with Indonesian sea wall construction South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Cho Tai-young said his administration would support the Jakarta administration in the construction of the Giant Sea Wall (GSW) project in North Jakarta. Speaking after a meeting with Jakarta Governor and president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Cho emphasized South Korea’s commitment in maintaining its ties with Indonesia by continuously being part of its development activities. The GSW project is a joint venture between the central government and the Jakarta administration that involves the building of a large embankment to reduce flooding in North Jakarta. Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto

www.en.tempo.co

By the end of 2013, China had built a high speed rail network of over 10,000 routekm, far exceeding that in any other country and larger than the network in the entire European Union. It has been accomplished at a cost which is at most two-thirds of that in other countries. A new World Bank paper takes a look at this expansion, its construction unit costs and some of its key cost components. It also outlines reasons that may explain the comparatively low cost of high speed railway construction in China. According to the paper titled High-Speed Railways in China: A Look at Construction Costs, several factors influence the cost of a high speed rail project construction. The major factors include the line design speed, topography along the alignment, weather conditions, land acquisition costs, use of viaducts instead of embankments, the construction of major bridges across wide rivers, and the construction of mega stations. Laying track on viaducts is often preferred in China to minimize resettlement and the use of fertile land as well as to reduce environmental impacts. The estimated cost of viaducts in China ranges from RMB 57 to 73 m/km for a double track line. Such costs are kept low through standardization of the design and manufacturing process for casting and laying bridge beams on viaducts. Special bridges that cross large navigable rivers or that need to accommodate special topographic features like mountains have much higher cost per kilometer than that of a regular viaduct. Usually such bridges represent a small percentage of the total number of bridges. Projects having larger

projects. The paper notes that construction cost of high speed rail in China tends to be lower than in other countries. China’s high speed rail with a maximum speed of 350 km/h has a typical infrastructure unit cost of about US$ 17-21m per km, with a high ratio of viaducts and tunnels, as compared with US$25-39 m per km in Europe and as high as US$ 56m per km currently estimated in California. “China has accomplished a remarkable feat in building over 10,000 km of high speed railway network in a period of six to seven years at a unit cost that is lower than the cost of similar projects in other countries,” said Gerald Ollivier, a World Bank Senior Transport Specialist and coauthor of the paper. “Besides the lower cost of labor in China, one possible reason for this is the large scale of the high speed railway network planned in China. This has allowed the standardization of the design of various construction elements, the development of innovative and competitive capacity for manufacture of equipment and construction and the amortization of the capital cost of construction equipment over a number of projects.” This paper is the ninth of a series of papers on transport topics produced by the World Bank in Beijing. The World Bank has supported six railway projects with speeds ranging from 200 km/h to 350 km/h in China.

has approved plans to accelerate the GSW’s groundbreaking. The GSW project is facing a number of obstacles, such as not being allocated funding in the state budget. Ongoing Indonesian-South Korean projects include the development of e-government system for regional administrations. E-government is the use of information and communication technologies to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of an administration. (dyl/ebf)

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

www.voanews.com

China to Expand Quake-proof Construction

percent of homes had completed renovation. Residents told the newspaper the subsidies they received were not enough to buy material, transport it to their village and pay a contractor’s fees. Edward Ng, a professor of architecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, has been working with local administrations in Sichuan to adopt

Construction of One of Japan’s Largest Solar Power Plants to begin

www.renewableenergymagazine.com

The powerful earthquake that hit Southwest China recently killed more than 600 people and flattened an estimated 22,500 homes. The tragedy has highlighted the difficulties China faces in extending safety standards for homes in remote areas of its countryside. According to the China Earthquake Administration, most of the homes in the mountainous area of Yunnan, where the quake hit, were made of bricks, wood and mud walls. They were too old and weak to resist an earthquake, the agency said in a statement. As a result, the overwhelming majority of those killed in last week’s 6.1 magnitude earthquake died under collapsed houses. Long Enshen, a professor at the Sichuan University’s Institute of Disaster Management and Reconstruction, says a lack of resources is largely to blame. “In recent years, previous earthquakes in Wenchuan or the one in Yan’an definitely had an impact on these areas and their awareness on antiseismic construction has improved. But because of the economic conditions, many of the buildings [in rural areas] still lack in anti-seismic capacity,” says Long. After a strong earthquake hit Wenchuan county in Sichuan province killing tens of thousands of people in 2008, China upgraded its anti-seismic standards and offered subsidies to residents of quake-prone areas to build sturdier homes. But Chinese media have reported loopholes in the government’s efforts. In Yunnan, a local official told the Beijing-daily Xinjingbao that a provincial plan to renovate houses in the countryside had had little success in the six years since it was announced. The official said that in Ludian county, where the quake hit last week, only 0.08

different anti-seismic designs. “With the amount of money that the government can subsidize you still have to find a way to design something that is cheap enough so that the subsidies will cover most of the cost, otherwise it still won’t be able to be promoted on the market. You cannot design the kinds of earthquake houses that, for example, Japan is building for their domestic market,” he said. In 2008, Ng helped rebuild a quake-hit village in Sichuan using local materials - including rubble from previously demolished homes. The structures would withstand the quake’s main shock, leaving residents a few hours to escape before the home collapsed. Ng says local governments are open to these solutions. “They can’t solve the problem themselves, and the local villagers are crying out for help.” The government has said it plans to extend anti-seismic standards to all buildings in China by 2020. But analysts believe that while it is possible the government will be successful in cities, there are still enormous challenges for that goal to be realized in the countryside.

ORIX Corporation, a leading integrated financial services group, announced that it will begin constructing a large-scale solar power plant (mega-solar project) with a maximum output of 51.0 MW (51,030 kW), using the former site of the TOSHIN Lake Wood Golf Club. Tsu City boasts one of the highest levels of annual sunlight in Japan, and the mega-solar to be constructed on the former golf course site will be one of Japan’s largest solar power plants. ORIX is engaged in wide-ranging energy-related businesses. Its power generation business uses renewable energy such as solar power, geothermal energy and woodchip biomass. Other businesses include a solar power generation systems sales business, an electric power trading business, energy-conservation service businesses such as ESCO (Energy Service Company), a bulk electric power purchasing business for condominiums, and a storage battery rental service business. Going forward, ORIX will continue to actively expand its renewable energy and other energy-related businesses, as well as aim to provide new added value to customers.

20 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

USA sees biggest rise in construction since 2006

www.theconstructionindex.co.uk

Total construction spending in the USA in January posted the steepest year-on-year increase since 2006.There was growth in public construction as well as private residential and non-residential spending, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials warned that federal investments in highway repairs could decline rapidly this summer because of funding shortfalls, undermining the sector’s recovery. “Overall construction spending increased in January compared with both December and January 2013 despite uncommonly adverse weather conditions,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The monthly gains were limited to homebuilding and multi-family residential construction, although private non-residential work should rebound in the next few months. Public construction is up for now on a year-over-year basis, but funding remains questionable.” Construction put in place totalled US$943bn in January, 0.1% higher than the December total. The January mark was 9.3% percent higher than in January 2013, the fastest rate of growth for total construction spending since May 2006. Private residential construction spending increased by 1.1% in January and jumped 15% over 12 months. Private non-residential spending slipped 0.2% for the month, but rose 9.7% compared to January 2013. Public construction spending dropped 0.8% for the month, but increased 2.5% from a year earlier.

www.sourceable.net

Australia construction expected to crash

Engineering construction work in Australia is ¬expected to fall about a quarter in five years from the current $127 billion, with a sharp impact on job numbers and economic growth. The findings, from a report on civil construction by economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel,

show civil work will fall only marginally in the 2014 financial year to $127bn. “This is a big reason as to why job growth and economic growth will remain below trend (of 3 per cent) over the next one to two years,” said Adrian Hart, senior manager for BIS Shrapnel’s infrastructure and mining unit. BIS Shrapnel blames the downturn on fewer projects in both the private and public sectors in the past two years, falling commodity prices and lower spending by governments on new infrastructure. Mr Hart said work in the pipeline was still high in historic terms, but more than half of the future work related to oil and gas construction and was “nowhere near” enough to sustain current work levels. After a trough of construction work in the 2016 financial year, activity would begin to increase thanks to work linked to the National Broadband Network and major transport and infrastructure projects. As global economic conditions improved and the Australian dollar fell, many of the projects deferred over the past few years would come back into play. Across the country, resource-rich Western Australia and Queensland would be hardest hit by the trend, with declines in those states accounting for 94 per cent of the total decline in work done. By contrast, the strongest outlook is reserved for the Northern Territory — dominated by the $34bn Ichthys LNG project — and NSW, driven by a range of large public- and private sector-funded infrastructure pro¬jects focused on roads and railways, including the North West Rail Link, the M1-M2 Tunnel, WestConnex and the Sydney Light Rail. The Australian November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Vietnam constructs third oil refinery

to optimize the refinery’s operational efficiency,” the company said in a statement. Vung Ro Petroleum, a subsidiary of UK-based Technostar Management Limited Company, plans to pump $3.2 billion into the oil refinery and petrochemical complex in Hoa Tam Industrial Park, Phu Yen province. Located in the Hoa Tam Industrial Park, Vung Ro oil refinery and petrochemical complex is planned to be the driving force of industrial development while maintaining stringent environmental practices. The refinery is well positioned to meet the fast growing demand for high-quality fuel and petrochemical products in Vietnam and the wider region, and is hoped to be a strategic base for business expansion in the region. To prepare for construction, last year the company signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Japan’s JGC Corporation, which is also participating in the construction of the $9 billion Nghi Son oil refinery and petrochemical project in Thanh Hoa province. Prior to the EPC contract, the investor signed a technology transfer agreement with Honeywell’s UOP, a leading international supplier and licensor for petroleum refining and petrochemical production.

Vung Ro Petroleum Company yesterday broke ground of Bai Goc seaport – part of an oil refinery and petrochemical complex – in Phu Yen province, beginning the construction of Vietnam’s third oil refinery and petrochemical complex. Bai Goc seaport consists of small liquid bulk berths accommodating vessels up to 15,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT), large liquid berths accommodating vessels up to 54,000 DWT, a general cargo berth and a provincial port that is expected to accommodate general cargo vessels in the range of 1,000-30,000 DWT and contain-

er vessels in the range of 30,000-50,000 DWT. According to Vung Ro Petroleum, the seaport can handle around 17 million tonnes a year, including products from the refinery and other oil products for trading. Additionally, the general cargo berths have total throughput capacity of up to five million tonnes. “Marine facilities are vital to the effective running of a refinery complex. These facilities will be designed to ensure the efficient and economic receipt of crude oil, and to guarantee that products can be shipped quickly

Sihanoukville property for completion in 2017

Sihanoukville’s three main beaches – Sokha Beach, Independence Beach and Ocherteal Beach. “We’re not too concerned about marketing. People value our project because we’re focused on high standards, quality, beauty and we’re the biggest property development in Sihanoukville, and close to all the most popular destinations,” he said, adding that most of project’s buyers came from Phnom Penh. With population growth and the Kingdom’s booming economy Borey Kuch Asia is centrally located in Sihanoukville driving development at a rapid with easy access to the city and all three of its most pace, Sapheoun said he strongly popular nearby beaches, but completion of the projbelieves in the project’s future ect remains a decade away. PHOTO SUPPLIED prospects. “This area has a lot of Sihanoukville economy. “When investing in potential, which is attracting many people, and areas with possible potential, investors need to it’s the best area to develop in Sihanoukville, be flexible and put some work into finding out which is also means it’s a good investment,” what they can about the areas, if they want to he said. succeed,” Channa said. However, not everyone in the industry is so Po Eavkong, general manager of Asia Real optimistic about the prospects for development Estate Company, said some local investors in what they refer to as “frontier provinces”. were observing the political situation in Manager of Real Estate VMC, Dith Channa, Cambodia as home sale in some Boreys was said that building or developing immovable not like before the national election. property for sale in outside Phnom Penh, According to government data, the Ministry particularly in Sihanoukville, had yet to be Of Land Management, Urban Planning and proven a success, and faced challenges largely Construction approved 1,641 projects covering due to the lower population density. a total area of 7.5 million square metres, and But he noted that developments aimed at the a total value of $2.8 billion in 2013, or an tourism sector were more likely to be successful increase of 31 per cent year-on-year. Contact because tourism was the cornerstone of the author: Sum Manet

Representatives of Borey Kuch Asia say the company has injected millions of dollars into an apartment and villa complex in Sihanoukville, and that the project will be completed in 2017, despite political uncertainties. Borey Kuch Asia project manager Tous Sapheoun said the company spent two years working on blueprints between 2005 and 2007, when it cleared the land in preparation for development for what will be a decadelong project. Meanwhile, the company has already completed the first and second phases of the project, and the third phase is under way, according to Sapheoun. “The first and second phases comprise 400 apartments, 38 villas, a market and a 19-floor hotel, which is still under construction,” he said. Sapheoun said that the first phase sold well, and that 90 per cent of the villas were occupied, while half of the second phase of development had already sold out. The prices of condominiums start at $120,000 and villas start at $200,000, he added. Borey Kuch Asia occupies a total of 61.94 hectares in Mittapheap district, Sihanoukville city, and is centrally located not far from

22 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

Cambodian Activists Board Boats to Protest Dam Construction in Laos A group of Cambodians on Thursday by the fishing communities and the Cambodia as well as other Lao staged a protest on boats calling on environment. neighbors Thailand and Vietnam neighboring Laos to halt the construction have formally called for a halt in the of the controversial Don Sahong dam on construction of the Don Sahong dam to Online petition the Mekong River, saying the project More than 250,000 people, including allow for further impact studies. would destroy fisheries central to the about 12,000 Cambodians, have signed food security of millions of people and an online petition by WWF opposing Chhay Areng dam harm endangered dolphins. The Don Sahong project isn’t the only the dam’s construction, according to Comprising about 100 community contentious hydropower dam project. the environmental group. WWF said leaders, representatives of It is the second dam project on the millions of tonnes of rock are to be nongovernmental organization (NGO), Lower Mekong mainstream after the excavated for the dam project using youths, and monks, they traveled along controversial Xayaburi dam that Laos the Mekong decided on its own in River displaying 2012 to start building banners calling despite opposition on Malaysian from Cambodia and engineering and Vietnam. construction firm Environmental Mega First to heed activists and villagers public opposition alike have opposed to the project and and protested the stop work on it. building of the dam, They said the which will sit on the 260-megawatt Lower Mekong River hydroelectric east of the town of dam in southern Xayaburi in northern Laos, just one Cambodian environmental activists protest a hydropower dam project aboard a Laos. kilometer (0.62 boat in the Mekong River in Phnom Penh, September 2014. Meanwhile, mile) upstream Cambodian monks from Cambodia, will detrimentally affect and environmental activists plan to hold explosives, creating strong sound waves the livelihoods of Cambodian villagers a hunger strike on Saturday outside the that could potentially kill dolphins which in provinces such as Stung Treng and Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh to back have highly sensitive hearing structures. Kratie. Rivers and waterways of the Increased boat traffic, changes in water their call for Beijing to suspend plans two provinces are also famous for the quality, and habitat degradation represent to build a 108-megawatt dam in Koh critically endangered dolphins. other risks, it said. The dam will also Kong province in southwest Cambodia. Around 85 dolphins are now restricted block the only channel available for dry- Hundreds of families will be affected by to a 190 kilometer (118 mile) stretch season fish migration, putting at risk the the construction of the Chhay Areng dam of the Mekong River between southern world’s most productive inland fisheries project by China’s Sinohydro Corp., the Laos and north-east Cambodia, with the and the livelihoods of 60 million people world’s largest hydropower construction Don Sahong dam project located just living in the Lower Mekong Basin, company, activists said. upstream of the mammals’ core habitat, A Chinese embassy official who WWF said according to environmental group World refused to give her name said she wasn’t The Lao authorities announced last Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), which aware of the planned hunger strike and month they had suspended construction organized the protest. declined to give any further comments. of the Don Sahong dam following “Don Sahong dam is a dangerous Villagers and activist monks said the environmental and other concerns experiment and Mega First is gambling dam would flood parts of Areng Valley expressed by neighboring nations but with the livelihoods of millions,” said and destroy the cultural identity of the Mega First said the project was forging Chhith Sam Ath, WWF’s Cambodia Chong minority group living there. ahead. director. He told RFA’s Khmer Service Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. In June, Laos said it would hold that WWF tried but failed to discuss the Translated by Samean Yun. Written in intergovernmental consultations on the issue with Mega First. English by Roseanne Gerin. dam and conduct and share studies on its Chhith Sam Ath noted that hydropower environmental and social impact before generated from the dam cannot proceeding with construction. compensate the losses to be suffered November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

cover story

Southern Leyte, Padre Burgos5kw system

Marquez Residence, 500Wp

“

Solar energy and wind energy farms are the fastest to build with full construction schedules within a year

”

--- Techie Capellan Holiday Dream Apartelle, 16kw, Angeles City

Let the sun shine By: Rizal Raoul Reyes

Once again, the Philippines is going to plunge into the ‘age of darkness’ in 2015 with the impending power shortage. The Department of Energy and Aquino administration allies in the House of Representatives have called for the granting of emergency powers to President Aquino. This means the President would be allowed to bypass the prohibition on new capital investments on power generation by the government and streamline the procedure in approving new power projects. 24 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

n late 80s and early 90s, the Philippines experienced severe power outages lasting around 8 hours which severely affected the economy. Things turn around for the better when President Fidel V. Ramos took over Malacañan. According to the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB), the emergency powers under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 granted to Aquino could complement the government’s drive to avail of the policies, mechanisms and incentives provided under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (RA No. 9513) to boost rapidly the power supply in the next two years. Following its mandate under the RE Act, the NREB maintains that promoting and accelerating the development of renewable energy (RE) present the most responsive approach towards mitigating the power supply shortage, The NREB says RE could provide the fastest and cheapest long-term solution as well as fill the electricity supply gap where most needed.

“The NREB says the RE is the best option. Given the need to address the immediate requirement for new power capacity, several renewable energy solutions may provide such capacity within 1-to-2-year time frame,” says Techie Capellan, president of the Philippine Solar Alliance, “Solar energy and wind energy farms are the fastest to build with full construction schedules within a year,” adds Capellan. San Carlos Solar, inaugurated by President Aquino on May 2014, was the first recently completed solar farm and finished below the 12-month construction period. “The 40 megawatt solar power plant of Majestics Energy Corporation in Cavite was completed several months ago, and once connected to the grid would immediately augment the power supply in Luzon,” says Capellan.

sale to the biomass power plant. Renewable energy can also go smaller and simpler with hydro projects that may be built with less than two years. Irrigation canals could be tapped to provide sustainable power to rural communities. “These hydro power plants have traditionally been positive influences in effective watershed management and local road construction,” says Capellan. One of the good advantages of renewable is the RE plants are not subject to environmental concerns which often delays and even stop the construction of fossil fuel plants. The regulatory framework for RE is substantially in place. Once the final

“

These hydro power plants have traditionally been positive influences in effective watershed management and local road construction

”

--- Techie Capellan

As far as wind energy farms are concerned, the NREB says nearly 380 MW of wind energy farms are currently under construction in Northern Luzon and the Visayas, which can be in commercial operation by the first quarter of 2015. A further 500 MW are ready to commence construction and can be in commercial operations by March 2016. Biomass power plants with capacity of up to 20 MW will require a construction period less than 24 months. Among renewable energy plants, the NREB says biomass provides additional income to farmers and local community by converting agricultural, forestry and municipal wastes into fuel for

Asian Development Bank, 560kw

First Phil Solar Rooftop, 80kw

Solar Rooftop, 200kw

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

cover story

“

It must be emphasized that for the end-user, the cost of impact of RE is not the entire FIT rate but only the incremental difference between the FIT rate and the average cost of electricity, spread out over all electricity consumers in the country. For the first wave of 750 MW of RE power under the FIT, the incremental cost applied is only P0.04057/kWh or 4.5 centavos

”

pieces of the programs, mechanisms and incentives for RE are established, the full potential of RE power as envisioned in the RE Act could be realized,” adds Capellan. Capellan says there have been concerns raised about the possible rise in costs to the consumers with the deployment of renewable energy power plants. “It must be said that any new power capacity, including coal power plants, will increase the cost to the end-user. Such is the reality of a growing economy. No new power plant can compete with the depreciated costs of the existing large storage hydro power, geothermal, coal and natural gas plants in the country. The key question is, which new power sources present a more reasonable and predictable cost structure, particularly over the medium to long term?,” says Capellan. “Although coal and natural gas plants are said to provide the cheapest power rates and current prices are on the low side, Capellan says fossil fuel prices are very volatile and upward price movements in the coming years can be expected in the medium to long term. The full pass-through of coal, oil and gas costs has a strong and direct impact on the consumer, significant public outcry follows each increase,” adds Capellan. On the other hand, Capellan says the hydro and bio mass Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) rates of P5.90 and P6.63 per kilowatt hour (kWh) are considered competitive with coal power plants given that renewable energy is subject to 12 percent value added tax (VAT). She also points out that the difference on rates between solar and wind power plants rates with coal plants are getting smaller and already much lower than diesel and bunker. Meanwhile, the rates of hydropower plant are lower than new coal plants. Capellan says RE rates are more stable that its plants can guarantee the same price from month to month, thus providing a stable and predictable price in the long-term.

--- Techie Capellan

“It must be emphasized that for the enduser, the cost of impact of RE is not the entire FIT rate but only the incremental difference between the FIT rate and the average cost of electricity, spread out over all electricity consumers in the country. For the first wave of 750 MW of RE power under the FIT, the incremental cost applied is only P0.04057/ kWh or 4.5 centavos,” says Capellan. On the other hand, the FIT rates of the more expensive technologies like wind and solar are projected to reach grid parity in about 5 to 7 years. Once the weighted FIT rate drops lower than the grid rate, it will result in a negative FIT differential resulting in to over-recovery. This will result in savings rather than incremental costs to the consumers. “RE would actually generate billions of savings resulting to lower electricity rates for the consumers over the remainder of the FIT period,” says Capellan. Aside from cheaper power rates, RE power plants provide other economic benefits such as reduced transmission costs, energy security, reduced wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) rates and no-take-pay contracts. RE has lower transmission costs because only embedded RE power plants will connect to the distribution lines which saves them in paying transmission costs. “The distributed generation aspect of many RE projects provides energy security to its host community, such that being cut off from the national grid becomes less of a concern,” says Capellan. Even with the highest FIT rate of P9.68/ kWh, solar energy cost is within the current average clearing price at WESM during the 10 am and 2 pm, the peak period of solar in contributing to the grid. RE power plants generate and sell power on the basis of actual delivered generation, without the need to for fixed take or pay contracts.

26 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

MERALCO, 6kw

Launching of the Net Metering Rules Book

Bhelle-Solar 1st net metering approved installation at Quezon City by Meralvo

Bank of Philippine Islands 5kw, Ayala Avenue Extension

40Mw Rooftop, Cavite Export Processing Biggest Rooftop Installation in the World

Toyota Motors, 60kwMarilao , Bulacan November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Designâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

PROJECT REPORT

ASiA Enclaves combines luxury and affordability By: Rizal Raoul Reyes

The development of ASiA Enclaves ushers Phinma Properties Holdings Corp (PPHC) into the upper middle market segment. The 3.5 hectare project located along West Service Road Alabang beside Hillsborough Village is quite accessible to the business centers, schools, hospitals and churches within the Alabang-Las PiĂąas area.

28 | Philippine Construction&Designâ&#x20AC;&#x192; November - December 2014

George Richard Sitton, senior vice president of PPHC says the company tapped its own contractor and architectural units to build the project. Sitton says ASiA Enclaves provides convenience to residents in terms of their shopping requirements. For instance, the Alabang Town Center and Festival Mall are not more than four kilometers from the PPPHC project. Looking for schools to provide the educational needs of the children, ASiA Enclaves is very accessible to quality educational institutions such as De La Salle Santiago Zobel (6.3 kilometers),

Sato 4

themes are still in the conceptual stage and can be subject to change.

Clubhouse for Sato

Informatics International (2.5 kilometers), Paref Ridgefield (1 kilometer), Paref Southridge School (1.1 kilometers), Paref Woodrose (8.3 kilometers), San Beda Alabang (2.6 kilometers) and Saint Bernadette College (2 kilometers). For health and medical requirements, the Asian Hospital and Medical Center is 2.7 kilometers away Going to church is not a challenge as the Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel (0.65 kilometers) and the Saint Jerome Emiliani Chapel (3.4 kilometers) are very accessible.

Background on ASiA Enclaves Sitton says development of ASiA Enclaves is divided into three phases namely Ohara, Sena and Tirta. Each phase will have about five buildings and approximately 500 units. The Japanese-themed Ohara Enclaves is the first phase of development. It will have a total size of 1.05 hectares, 644 units and 195 total parking slots, exclusive entrance gate, pocket garden and playground. Sena and Tirta, slated for future developments, will have the Indonesian and Malaysian themes respectively. The

Under the Ohara Enclaves project, PPHC will develop the Sato 1 and Sato 2 premiere suites totalling 112 units. For each floor, Sato 1 and Sato 2 will have 16 units in 40 and 30 square meters. Sato 1 and Sato 2 will each have 31 parking slots. Meanwhile, Sitton says Sato 4 and Sato 5 will each have a total of 140 units. Each floor of Sato 1 and Sato 2 will have 20 units per floor with lot unit sizes of 40 and 36 square meters. Sato 1 and Sato 2 will each have 39 parking slots. Both Sato 1 and Sato 2 have a top floor for drying clothes with a 1:1 ratio. Sitton points PPHC has installed emergency power for common areas, fire alarms and sprinkler systems, firehose cabinets on every floor to ensure the safety of the residents. It is has ramp to help people with disabilities.

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Designâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

project report ASiA Enclaves’ amenities and facilities like clubhouse, pool, gym, and function rooms will be shared by the three phases. Phase 1 of the development of facilities is currently ongoing. Sitton describes the topography of the land in ASiA Enclaves as slightly rolling. He adds the in-house engineers were able to establish the highest level during their initial testing. Further, the site was backfilled at least 0.5 meters higher than the flood level to ensure that the site will always be dry even during typhoon season.

standards. Major materials like cement, concrete and rebars are sourced from the manufacturers like Holcim for cement and concrete and Pag-asa steel for rebars. Bradnams supplied the windows and Rapid Forming was the provider of doors. Boysen supplied the painting needs and

Based on the site specific study conducted by Engineer Carlos Villarasa (an earthquake engineer) and the soil investigation team, the foundation design is mat foundation. Concrete strength is designed at 4,000 psi. The structural design is a box wall/ load bearing wall system without column and beam with concrete strength of 4,000 psi. PPHC has utilized the well-known as cast-in-place system for ASiA—a widely used technology in Europe and Singapore By using this tested technology, Sitton says they were able to construct structure at a rate of floor per day or a four-building cluster of 116 units in 60 days. Under the cast-in-place, cement is poured every five meters, reinforced with high-grade steel, so that every wall is a load bearing wall. Further, cast in place technology uses pumping machines to ensure consistency. It takes about seven hours to finish per floor, and a building can be completed in 90 days.

ASiA Pool

Major equipments used in the construction are Box wall formworks, tower crane, pumpcrete, bulldozer, backhoe, mobile crane. PPHC also gives premium on safety by implementing systems that are monitored to ensure compliance and achieve zero accident from PPE issuance. In fact, ASiA achieved one million safe man-hours after two years of operation. As a major project, PPHC has tapped major suppliers for the construction requirement of ASiA Enclaves to ensure the final output will have high quality

Sato 1

30 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

Union Galvasteel supplied the roofing requirements. For the current project, the price is approximately P52, 000 per square meter. Meanwhile, the new two- three bedroom developments that will be launch have a price of P55, 000 per square meter.

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Designâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT news

The UBIX Temporary Roofing System has been enhanced with the introduction of a lightweight sheet which uses an innovative clamping system to eliminate the need for pre-formed pockets. The UBIX Lightweight Sheet offers cost-effective weather protection that doesn’t compromise on performance or safety. With safety paramount, the reduced sheet weight of just 0.45kg/m<2> makes handling of the system even easier when working at height. And just like the original UBIX keder sheets, the PVC-coated lightweight polyester sheets offer excellent UV and weather resistance, fire resistance and durability; tested to DIN 4102 – NFPA701, B1, M2. At the heart of the new UBIX Lightweight Sheet is the Lightweight Sheet Clamp, fitted with two pointed hex-headed bolts. Clamps are carefully positioned using the Lightweight Sheet Template with optional laser to ensure accurate installation and alignment of clamps. It is possible either to pilot the holes by using the template and a sharp retractable blade or simply push the pointed bolts through the sheet and then tighten securely. This system enables the clamps to be moved and reused should there be any changes to the roof or scaffolding configuration. The new UBIX Lightweight Sheet has already been successfully used at the Williamson Research Centre, University of Manchester. “The sheet and clamp system proved quite easy to fit, and took just minutes to install one bay width,” said Karl Speed, Site Supervisor at Cheshire Scaffolds. “The concertina folding made pulling and fitting the sheet much easier.” Available in 60m full length rolls, the lightweight sheets can be supplied in widths of 2.57m and 3.07m – as well as other metric and imperial widths. Customers can order the entire 60 roll and cut it themselves, or specify sheet lengths.

High performance cellulose ether cement render additive can drive down application time and costs With increasing pressure for contractors on construction sites to deliver against ever tighter time and cost margins, materials which can deliver fast yet reliable results will be welcomed. Walocel MKW cellulose ethers address the four key attributes vital to an effective, efficient cement-based render: • Air void stability, meaning mortar maintains its density and consistency during application. • Good workability so that mortar can spread and level easily without sticking to tools. • Temperature tolerance in order that mortar can retain water and not dry out before it has properly cured. • Minimal retardation to reduce curing times and support efficiency on site. Cellulose ethers are designed to support manufacturers in a number of ways which helps deliver high performance cement render products with their targeted technical properties. • Air voids in the render lower its density, making it smoother and improving its workability. Walocel MKW cellulose stabilises trapped air, which helps maintain the consistency of the render and prolongs the open time. This extends the time frame for leveling after spraying and enables users to work more effectively during consecutive spraying and leveling stages. • Cellulose ethers also support good workability through an optimum balance between standing strength (which helps prevents sagging) and shear stability (which supports levelling), while at the same time maintaining low stickiness. In order to harden properly, a render must retain water during curing, develop to its full strength and ensure cement hydration. Walocel MKW cellulose ethers have been designed with water retention properties that operate at temperatures as high as 40C. This supports extended open time, good workability and effective curing across a range of geographic regions. Cellulose ethers have been specially engineered to minimize retardation and deliver shorter curing times, even at temperatures as low as 10C and below. Users benefit from increased efficiency on job sites thanks to a reduction in delays between initial application of render and final surface treatment.

White reflective elastomeric roof coatings reduce overheating in buildings The traditional method of keeping buildings cool and maintaining comfortable temperatures during the hot months has been to invest in energy-hungry air conditioning systems. However, in a program designed to reverse this trend, our new technology has led to the development of reflective elastomeric coatings that are durable and efficient, with the potential of making the single largest contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions caused by domestic, commercial and industrial buildings.

32 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

www.quinoneshomes.blogspot.com

Lightweight temporary roofing sytem based on PVC-coated lightweight polyester sheet

In addition, these cool roof coatings also play a significant role in extending the longevity of structural roofing materials. At the top of most agendas in today’s building industry is the drive to create products that are more sustainable and take maximum advantage of ways to save energy. One of the main areas promising significant progress in this area is roof technology, specifically the development of coatings aimed at lowering building temperatures caused by radiant sunlight.

3D printing trials of unmanned aircraft with one-way tickets

www.sheffield.ac.uk

Engineers at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield are working on the prototype of a 3D printed unmanned aerial vehicle. Low production costs might lead to 3D unmanned aircraft that could be disposable and sent on one-way flights for delivery, search or reconnaissance purposes. So far, a 1.5m-wide prototype unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been printed for

a research project. Ultimately, the polymer craft could form the basis of cheap and potentially disposable UAVs that could be built and deployed in remote situations potentially within as little as 24 hours. Earlier versions required significant amounts of support material around component parts to prevent the airframe structures from deforming during the build process. Using support material adds

a direct material cost, and significantly increases build time, in some cases by an order of magnitude. This is a result of the machine having to change between build and support structure heads after each printed layer. New 3D printing techniques, such as the fused deposition modelling (FDM) used to make the UAV at Sheffield, could soon be used in the creation of products without the need for complex and expensive tooling and the time required in traditional manufacturing. The UAV has already completed a test flight as a glider. Researchers are developing an electric ducted fan propulsion system that will be incorporated into the airframe’s central spine. They plan to develop the craft for guidance by GPS or camera technology, controlled by an operator wearing first person-view goggles. Dr Garth Nicholson who led the project said: “Following successful flight testing, we are working to incorporate blended winglets and twin ducted fan propulsion. We are also investigating full on-board data logging of flight parameters, autonomous operation by GPS, and control by surface morphing technology. Concepts for novel ducted fan designs are also being investigated”. The Sheffield UAV comprises nine parts that can be snapped together. It weighs less than 2kg and is made from thermoplastic. The engineers are currently evaluating the potential of nylon as a printing material that would make the UAV 60% stronger with no increase in weight.

Conder Aqua Solutions, a UK company specialising in packaged water and wastewater systems, has invested in new rotomoulding technology which is set to significantly increase production capabilities and produce a 20% growth in turnover. Commissioned and in production since early May, the new rotomoulding machinery makes Conder one of the first wastewater companies in the UK to manufacture its tanks using this form of technology. The new equipment is not only set to increase turnover but has already resulted in a higher skilled workforce with two teams being expertly trained to use the exclusive machinery. The new equipment works by heating a specialist polymer powder within a tank mould at extremely high temperatures whilst being rotated on a specially built platform. This is then left to cool and released from the mould producing a high quality, durable tank for distribution to both domestic and

commercial customers who do not have access to mains drainage. Conder is now using this technology to manufacture its newly designed low profile Conder Septic Tank Range, manufactured in HDPE with granular and concrete backfill options, providing significantly reduced installation costs. Soon to be announced is the introduction of a new rotomoulded Conder ASP sewage treatment plant which will see significant technical developments to the product. Rotomoulding will be used to complement the existing GRP manufacturing facilities. This, together with the introduction of newly designed products is just some of the many benefits that have come as a result of Conders recent partnership with Canadian compay Premier Tech. Stuart Wray, Managing Director at

ww.alibaba.com

Wastewater company introduces rotomoulded tanks

Conder said “The introduction of this new, more automated technology will open up a whole new range of market opportunities for Conder.” Conder Aqua Solutions offers a range of water and wastewater products including sewage treatment plants, pumping stations, storage systems, oil/water separators and rainwater harvesting systems.

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

project management

Keeping track of project construction Planning and monitoring are key factors to a successful project

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roject construction is a rather complex activity that requires a lot of planning, monitoring, scheduling, proper coordination and communication. The main objective for any project manager is to ensure that the project is completed in the designated time at the prescribed budget. Again the task to oversee the entire process will be complicated and confusing unless a certain kind of work plan or strategy is implemented at the onset of the project. It will be very important to set work schedules, identify job descriptions, allocate resources, monitor expenses, and institute a simple but comprehensive communication system where all areas of the project construction are covered and flow of information and reports are properly done.

WORK SCHEDULE

The project manager must bear in mind that work is determined by the unique nature of the tasks, the manpower skills needed to accomplish the task and the amount of man hours available and needed in order to achieve the objective. The project manager must be aware that the different tasks are interdependent of one another or interlocking. What is needed is to create a schedule of work even before the contract is awarded to contractors or subcontractors. There are a number of softwares that can be used to ensure that schedules

34 | Philippine Construction&Designâ&#x20AC;&#x192; November - December 2014

are met. Two of the softwares are Suretrak and Project. The project manager must see to it that there is always a written notice for the changes in the time line of the work schedule. Lastly, with a specific work schedule agreed upon by contractors and the project manager, the latter can easily assign overtime work, monitor supply shipping schedules and the augmentation of workforce in instances that additional manpower is needed to complete the tasks in accordance to set schedule.

COST CODING

The financial side of project construction must be given utmost attention to prevent the project cost exceeding the budget. Planning is very important in designing the budget so as to avoid unnecessary expenses as the project progresses. The project manager can set up a tracking system where he and the contractor can jointly monitor expenses. Aside from spreadsheets, there are commercially available softwares that the project manager can use to track down expenses like the Timberline or Prolog. Once the system is in place, the project manager can now assign cost codes for the various categories on the job. By using the cost codes, the project manager can identify and anticipate where the critical points can go against the budget. The cost codes will serve as a tracking system to monitor expenses. By doing this, the project manager can easily compare actual invoices to the assigned budget. Contractors can check out the MasterFormat codes that have been developed by the Construction Specifications Institute before devising their coding system. In cases when there are changes in orders, the project manager can ask for detailed price breakdowns so as to identify individual material prices, equipment, tools, labor rates, etc. This practice will prevent contractors or subcontractors from padding the costs and at the same time allows more options for the project manager.

therefore preventing waste of time and money. At the start of the project, contractors and subcontractors must be briefed on the scope items that will detail each work and who are responsible for doing it. This must then be clearly specified in the contracts to pinpoint accountabilities. The scope items must be precise and exact on the nature of the work and what is included and asked for. Then it must also be clearly inscribed in the contract if installation is free of charge or included in the contract price. By doing so, the desired materials are used at the correct price. Proper communication between owners and contractors and subcontractors is critical to any construction project because misunderstanding can result in loss of time and therefore will run the risk of not completing the project on time. More so, confusion as to specific work designated and expected to be done may arise without clear communication system. Again, when this happen work schedule and quality will be affected.

Incorrect planning of project work schedules and cost estimates can spell the difference of success or failure. There is no harm if the project manager spends a little more time in devising a time table for each phase of work. Reviewing the bill of materials needed to complete the project and assigning a code system to track usage of materials will ensure proper procurement as well as price monitoring. If materials are coded and volume is determined during the planning stage, the project manager can order in bulk ahead of time to avail of certain discounts; thereby realizing savings and assuring ample supply. In the end, the project manager has all the tools and resources available to him in managing the project efficiently. There is no substitute for planning as this will serve as your map to navigate through the completion of the project in specified time and budget. Source: Project Management Techniques in Planning and Controlling Construction Projects By EmilyBeach, eHow

SYSTEMATIC COMMUNICATIONS

Clearly defined scope of work must be communicated correctly and effectively to all trade suppliers and other service providers. By specifying the exact scope of work, the project manager can avoid confusion when the deliveries arrive or the work has been done or not done;

www.dalje.com

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Designâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

PRODUCTS and equipment Atlas Copco Bucket Crushers Shine in Tight Spaces Atlas Copco’s compact bucket crushers allow operators on construction, demolition and trenching work sites to quickly and effectively pulverize asphalt, concrete and stone, even in tight spaces. Operators can re-use the material on site or sell it. This creates a new revenue stream and reduces transportation and dumpsite expenses. The bucket crushers also eliminate the need for additional crushing equip-

www.gpsworld.com

ment. The company designed the crushers to provide a long service life with replaceable top and bottom jaws and single jaws that can be rotated. Atlas Copco offers four models with output diameters ranging from 0.5 to 4.75 in. (1.3 to 12 cm).

Topcon Unveils New 2D, 3D Excavator Control Systems The X-32 and X-33 feature Topcon’s new GX-30 control box and TS-i3 sensors. Topcon Positioning Group added two new indicate control systems to its excavator control system lineup — the X-32 and X-33. The systems feature Topcon’s new GX-30 control box and TS-i3 sensors. The GX-30 features a full-color touchscreen display. The TSi3 sensors have no moving components, offer single and dualaxis measurement modes, and include convenient LED status indicators. X-32: 2D Indicate System for Grade Control The system’s MC-i3 GNSS receiver with Vanguard technology provides maximum flexibility in satellite signal tracking. Additionally, the MC-i3 is Sitelink3D ‘ready’ for integration into Topcon’s real-time 3D management solution,” he said. The new 3D system is designed to establish grade faster and ensure the operator stays on grade. “The system eliminates over excavation and controls material usage, allowing the user to ‘see’ the exact position of the machine on site and the bucket position at all times.” When detailed information is required, the operator can select to visualize the plan, profile, or sectional view and use the dual grade indicators for elevation control.

36 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

Volvo H-Series Wheel Loaders Deliver Lower Emissions, Fuel Consumption Volvo L110H and L120H wheel loaders are among the company’s most environmental and fuel-efficient machines to date. The company’s latest generation of machines for the 18 to 22 ton (16 to 20 t) class, they are powered by an 8-L Tier IV Final/Stage IV-certified engine with fully automatic regeneration that combines high performance with low emissions and low fuel consumption. The inherent fuel efficiency of the Volvo D8J engine is enhanced by the well-matched Volvo powertrain and intelligent hydraulics, which only supply power on demand. The load-sensing hydraulics also ensure fast response for outstanding control over the load, as well as shorter cycle times. Another intelligent feature, the reverse-by-braking (RBB) function automatically reduces the engine rpm and applies the service brakes when the operator changes the direction of the machine. This not only conserves fuel but also reduces stress on the drivetrain, thereby extending component life. The Volvo torque parallel (TP) linkage delivers high breakout torque and excellent parallel movement throughout the entire lifting range and the optional boom suspension system (BSS) reduces bucket spillage, boosting productivity by as much as 20 percent on rough ground, according to the manufacturer.

PoE Access Control Locks from Assa Abloy Group, brands Corbin Russwin and Sargent

Assa Abloy offers power-over-Ethernet (PoE) electronic accesscontrol locks, including the Sargent Profile Series v.S1, the Sargent Passport 1000 P1, and the Corbin Russwin Access 700 PIP1. Ethernet data cables carry low-voltage electricity to power the lock as well as transmitting data to and from the devices using a facility’s already existing wired and wireless local area network (LAN). Each PoE door typically uses about one watt per door in standby mode, saving more than 150 kWh per year compared to a traditionally wired system. Ethernet power loads are low enough that a modest uninterruptable power supply (UPS) may be able to maintain electronic-access functionality in the case of a power outage.

The LiquiDAM Penetrating Moisture Vapor

Moisture penetration through concrete slabs can cause severe problems for flooring systems. Even relatively low moisture emissions (MVER) can lead to the deterioration of flooring adhesives. The LiquiDAM delivers a high level of moisture protection, along with time and labor saving benefits. The formula requires no shot blasting for clean, sound concrete and allows same-day flooring installation with a one-coat, fast-drying formula that cures in 4-5 hours and exceeds the ASTM F3010-13 standard for moisture vapor barriers. When used as a complete TEC system with other surface preparation products and flooring adhesives, The LiquiDAM also qualifies for a 20-year Moisture Control Limited System Warranty. The LiquiDAM Penetrating Moisture Vapor Barrier can be applied to new or existing concrete with a maximum relative humidity of 100% and a moisture vapor emission rate of 25 lbs per 1000 square-feet per 24 hours. Applied with a squeegee or a 1/16” square notch trowel and a 3/16” nap foam roller, one coat boasts more than 150 square feet of coverage depending on surface porosity.

KOBELCO SK350LC EXCAVATOR SK350LC is an 81,800-pound excavator with a Tier 4, 270-horsepower Hino engine. Engine modes for heavy, standard and economic operation are selected with a button in the cab. Digging force is 50,582 pounds, dig depth is 24 feet 10 inches, and swing speed is 10 rpm.

TEREX GENERATION 2 SKID STEER, CTL Generation 2 skid steer loaders and compact track loaders feature more than 100 enhancements compared with previous models, says the company, and are available with both radial- and vertical-lift linkages. Additional Generation 2 models with operating capacities to 3,600 pounds are planned. The new models use Tier 4-Final engines and feature hydraulic refinement that includes improved cylinder sealing and “million-cycle” hoses in high-pressure circuits. Generation 2 compact track loaders continue to use the company’s patented Posi-Track suspended undercarriage.

Earth Measure, a collaboration between Coldspring and Jason F. McLennan, is a dimension stone product that takes waste from stone manufacturing and cuts it into specific patterns that mimic the natural world. The Fibonacci series is based on spirals found in seashells and other natural elements; the Linear series is closest to standard dimension stone; the MUD series looks similar to drying mud; and the Reptile series mimics the look of reptile skin. Earth Measures can be used for everything from pavers to walls to flooring, so it can transition from exterior to interior and horizontal to vertical applications. Architects and designers work with Coldspring to select an appropriate pattern and the team creates a CAD diagram that can be proofed. Once cut, the stone is packaged and delivered to the site laid out in a manner that simplifies installation; Coldspring can supply or consult on any of the necessary mounting systems. Stone can be provided from regional quarries depending on project location. November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

www.coldspringusa.com

Earth Measure from Coldspring and Jason F. McLennan

PRODUCTS and equipment Stand Up Decking Tool System from Hilti Accelerate productivity and finish the job faster with the Hilti SDT 5 Stand Up Decking Tool System. Designed specifically for the demands of metal decking applications, the SDT 5 is the first screw fastening decking tool specifically designed to attach metal deck to thin steel supports and metal deck sidelap connections—all with one tool. When using the Hilti SDT 5 Stand Up Decking Tool System including the Hilti Racing Tip #5 Point Screws and Sidelap Connectors (SLC), users will see reduced fastening time, improved fastening quality, and lower contact force required to make a fastening when compared to traditional methods. One complete system for the entire deck installation! With its unique design, the SDT 5 stand up system increases productivity and operator comfort by allowing operators to work upright at all times while installing metal decking. For more info contact www. us.hilti.com

NUDURA ICF Series The Optimizer, another product in the long line of insulating concrete form (ICF) innovations from NUDURA, will offer installers and designer the ability to match more stack heights and reduce installation costs. As the newest member to NUDURA’s ICF Series, the Optimizer will minimize design limitations and allow NUDURA to enter different market segments. Available in four section sizes, the Optimizer allows installers and designers the ability to meet 17 different stack scenarios without the need to cut or rip forms. The Optimizer utilizes NUDURA’s innovative DURALOK Technology to securely lock forms into place with triple-toothed interlocks, eliminating the need to wire or glue forms. The result is a drastic reduction in labor costs during installation. Once the forms are stacked together, a continuous height-fastening strip ensures the wall becomes a single unit. Because the product placement is indiscriminate, the installation process is improved. The Optimizer will be available in four different core sizes ranging from 6 ins. up to 12 ins. and available through NUDURA Authorized distributors. For more information, visit www.nudura.com.

Hilti HIT-HY 100 Adhesvie Anchoring System The new Hilti HIT-HY 100 Adhesive Anchoring System is the latest addition to the Hilti fast cure adhesive anchor portfolio and is designed for strong and reliable performance in a wide range of applications. For economical anchoring of structural steel connections and installation of post-installed rebar, HIT-HY 100 is the professionals’ choice for everyday anchoring applications. The HIT-HY 100 is designed for use with the existing Hilti dispenser platform, including the easy and accurate HDE 500-A18 battery dispenser and the HDM 500 manual dispenser. This anchor is ICC-ES approved for uncracked concrete, and it cures in only 30 minutes at 68°F, providing quick installation times. Combined with Hilti’s pre-cut and oil free rod portfolio (HAS-E, HIT-V and HIS inserts), the HIT-HY 100 system makes adhesive anchoring applications fast, easy and reliable. Hilti Inc. www.us.hilti.com or www.ca.hilti.com

Independent Testing Confirms Duro-Nox Abrasion Resistance Diablo Ultimate Flawless Finish Saw Blades Diablo’s Ultimate Flawless Finish 10- and 12-inch saw blades deliver precise, splinterfree cuts on fine molding with no rework required. These blades employ a breakthrough innovation that allows them to effortlessly glide through material and leave a smooth finish. The new Ultra Thin Kerf feature enables portable jobsite saws to perform at the level of workshop stationary saws. The blades are ideal for cutting fine molding, veneered plywood, melamine, and more.

Concrete floors are subjected to continuous wear, from heavy equipment in the manufacturing world to the retail industry’s constant foot traffic. In response, many design professionals use liquid floor hardeners or densifiers to increase protection against potential damage and premature wear of the slab surface. How Concrete Densifiers Work These densifiers, such as Nox-Crete’s Duro-Nox liquid floor hardeners, react with calcium hydroxide – a natural by-product of cement hydration – to densify the concrete surface by creating calcium silicate hydrate gels that fill voids and pores to increase concrete durability, impact resistance and abrasion resistance. This process reduces the porosity of concrete, creating a dustproofed surface for easy cleaning and chemical resistance to most organic acids, alkalis, salts, foods, fats, oils and more. In addition to increased protection, floors treated with liquid floor hardeners gain an attractive, glossy sheen over time. Nox-Crete manufactures three types of liquid floor hardeners or densifiers: Duro-Nox, a traditional sodium silicate; Duro-Nox LS, a lithium silicate; and Duro-Nox LSC, a less reactive lithium silicate.

38 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

Wyco Introduces Ergopack Backpack Vibrator For Concrete Consolidation Wyco, a division of Badger Meter and pioneer in the development of concrete vibration products, announces the addition of the Wyco ErgoPack gas-powered backpack vibrator for construction site concrete consolidation, to its family of products for the concrete and paving industries. Delivering a powerful 50cc Honda gas engine in a highly mobile yet comfortable form factor, the ErgoPack is the only backpack vibrator on the market to offer an ergonomic design where the engine weight is properly supported by the operator’s hips. The revolutionary design of the Wyco ErgoPack discourages injury-prone postures and delays operator fatigue to improve overall productivity while allowing easy mobility around the job site. With this solution, one user can easily vibrate low- to highslump concrete with up to a 2-inch head. Adjustable straps fit all operator sizes, and make the ErgoPack the most comfortable backpack on the market. The rugged steel frame withstands abuse from the most rigorous job sites. Because the bulk of the weight is distributed over the hips, ErgoPack reduces the strain on shoulders and upper back so that the operator’s upper body remains stable during concrete consolidation. This, in turn, enables operators to work longer jobs more effectively while helping prevent aches, pains and strains, which can result in lost work time. ErgoPack’s flexible throttle design adjusts for operator comfort, and features a “kill switch” and lock-in of the proper vibration speed. It is the only backpack that comes standard with a digital

tachometer/ hour meter, which allows for quick reference of vibration speed and enables users to take full advantage of the variable speed control to harness the most effective vibration for any mix. The hour meter tracks running hours to assist in preventative maintenance. Reengineered gears and bearings extend product life, and a speed increaser doubles the engine speed, making the ErgoPack a very powerful vibrator. The Honda 4-cycle 50cc engine has a heavy-duty clutch mounted on a rugged steel frame with a flexible throttle and kill switch. ErgoPack’s quick disconnect method of connecting shafts is compatible with the Wyco 994 and SureSpeed electric motor vibrators to allow customers to optimize their tool inventory to fit the needs of any concrete consolidation job.

Heavy Duty Adhesive LIQUID NAILS brand has enhanced its popular Heavy Duty construction adhesive formula. Liquid Nails Extreme Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive performs in extreme conditions, bonding in temperatures from 22° F to 120° F. This enables professional contractors to work in the extreme heat or cold and get their jobs done regardless of the weather. Liquid Nails Extreme Heavy Duty is a latex-based construction adhesive designed to provide long-lasting adhesion on a wide range of applications. Extreme Heavy Duty is certified by UL Environment to the GREENGUARD Gold standard as a low emitting material, making it ideal for use indoors as well as outdoors Additionally, Extreme Heavy Duty features a plastic tube for outdoor storage. For professionals who often store their materials in their exposed truck, this can save time and worry compared to traditional adhesives. For more than 40 years, Liquid Nails brand adhesive has been the most recognized brand of construction adhesives and caulks providing maximum performance bonding a variety of materials for professional contractors. Liquid Nails is a registered trademark of the PPG Group of Companies. www.ppg.com

Concrete Form Release Agent ChemMasters, Inc. has announced “Release,” a general-purpose concrete form release agent. Release is a mineral oil and petroleumbased product. Its dual action formulation is lightly reactive with improved barrier characteristics. Release from ChemMasters is for poured in place or formed concrete, working well with forms made of plywood, high-density plywood, wood, fiberglass, steel or aluminum. It promotes the clean, positive release of forms and helps to reduce surface imperfections in concrete. Release helps minimize dusting of formed surfaces and reduces labor costs associated with stripping and cleaning forms and equipment. Release clings well to vertical surfaces and has a pleasant cherry scent. It is available in 5 gallon pails and 55 gallon drums and complies with Ozone Transport Commission Standards for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Federal EPA Regulation 40 CFR Part 59. November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

PRODUCTS and equipment Husqvarna DXR 300

Presto Strong and Lightweight Construction Mats Presto Geosystems GEOTERRA GTO construction mats are made from highdensity polyethylene and offer a high strength-to-weight ratio. GEOTERRA GTO meets the industry needs for a fast deployment construction mat and is ideal for temporary access roads, work platforms, tracking pads and temporary and long term storage. Lighter weight compared to traditional heavier timber or HDPE mats equates to ease of handling, deployment and installation, as well as safety. The mats can be installed and moved onsite by hand without special or heavy handling equipment. The connection of GEOTERRA GTO mats with large poly bolts makes them fast to mobilize and demobilize and configure to a site’s layout. Visit prestogeo.com.

Invisible Wall Repairs by Homax Quick textured wall repairs are now possible using the Homax oil-based Pro Grade Wall Texture for punch-list repairs, patches, and small remodeling projects. With a drying time of only five minutes, it is also tinted for better visibility during application. A pattern control dial and pressure adjustment toggle allows users to match a wide range of texture patterns, delivering an invisible repair.

The Husqvarna DXR 300 is a powerful, compact demolition robot with long reach. With 22 kilowatts, the robust DXR 300 offer efficient demolition in tough environments. With a wide span between the outriggers the DXR 300 provide increased stability of the robot and have the ability to carry up to 400 kilos workload. DXR 300 is equipped with a fixed arm that delivers a precise positioning of the tool and only requires a minimum of service. It’s low height allows the user good vision over the machine during operation and helps give it a low center of gravity. Strong, durable baseplate is cast in one solid cast steel piece, with integrated lifting points. Strong LED lights provide good workplace illumination.The power unit’s location above the undercarriage and the easy-opening housing are examples of design solutions that make our DXR robots very easy to service. Since it’s just 78 cm wide, it passes through all normal doorways. With Husqvarna’s global service network you always have good access to servicing and product specialists.

JOHN DEERE 204K, 304K LOW CLEARANCE LOADERS Eight-foot-tall 204K and 304K wheel loaders are new models in the Deere lineup, designed for lower-clearance applications. They are a foot lower than other models, and they have rigid front and rear axles. Power ratings are 59 for the 204K and 64 for the 304K, and each has a Tier 4-Interim engine, two-speed transmission, and limited slip differential. Transversemounted engine allows for quick and convenient daily servicing, Deere says. 204K, 304K LOADER SPECIFICATIONS 204K • Net power: 59 horsepower at 2,200 rpm • Operating weight: 11,806 pounds • Bucket width: 6 feet 3 inches • Breakout force: 9,190 pounds

304K • Net power: 64 horsepower at 2,400 rpm • Operating weight: 12,778 pounds • Bucket width: 6 feet 3 inches • Breakout force: 11,839 pounds

CATERPILLAR E2 SERIES MINI EXCAVATORS Cat 303.5E2, 304E2, 305E2, 305.5E2 and 308E2 are updates of the E Series excavators. The new High Definition Hydraulic (HDH) System provides load-sensing and flow-sharing capability, and valve architecture reduces heat. A redesigned operator station includes a wider opening, easy-to-adjust arm rests, an overall improved ergonomic layout, a new interlocking front window system, updated operator interface controls, and 100 percent pilot controls. Operating weights range from 8,209 to 18,519 pounds, with power ratings from 23.5 to 48.5 horsepower.

40 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

CAT E2 SERIES EXCAVATOR SPECIFICATIONS 303.5E2 • Engine: Cat C1.8 • Rated net power: 23.5 horsepower • Operating weight, cab: 8,209 pounds • Bucket digging force: 7,419 lb.-ft. • Stick digging force: 3,799 lb.-ft. • Dig depth: 113 inches • Max reach: 205 inches

Pecora System Protects Building Envelope Pecora introduces the XL-Perm Air, Vapor, and Water Barrier System, consisting of fully engineered and compatible products that work in tandem to provide complete protection for your building envelope. The easy, four-step solution assures continuity of weatherproofing barrier systems. Step 1: Pecora XL-Flash STPU Fast Curing Liquid Flashing and Joint Filler A unique one part, fast curing, non-sag elastomeric STPU gun grade, trowelable liquid flashing and joint sealant specially formulated for the air and vapor barrier industry. Step 2: Pecora XL-Perm ULTRA VP Fluid Applied STPU Applied in a single coat via airless sprayer or roller, this durable elastomeric weatherproofing membrane provides two to three times the coverage of other fluid applied products. XL-Perm ULTRA VP has excellent elasticity and crack bridging capabilities contributing to a seamless, durable, and airtight building envelope. It can also be used on damp substrates and green concrete. Step 3: Pecora AVB Silicone Sealant/Adhesive

Designed as an integral component for transition seals between dissimilar materials in air and vapor barrier systems, offering superior green strength. Step 4: Pecora XL-Span 100% Silicone Extruded Transition Membrane Air and watertight barrier at transitions between building façade components. All of the products in the Pecora XL Perm system, when used together according to manufacturer’s guidelines, achieve 100% compatibility, wet or dry. For more information, visit www.pecora.com.

3 M Patch Plus Primer Gorilla Glue Single Use Tubes

Gorilla Glue Single Use tubes provide the versatility and durability needed for infrequent, small repairs and projects. They fit easily into a toolbox, glove compartment, backpack, or tackle box. Known for its bonding power and ability to stick to almost any surface, Gorilla Glue is the only true one-time use polyurethane glue available on the market. Once fully cured, Gorilla Glue is 100 percent waterproof and completely non-toxic, making it ideal for indoor and outdoor use.

WD-40 Smart Straw Cans

WD-40 is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its MultiUse Product in 2013 with these special edition red, white and blue Smart Straw cans. The special packaging is available on 8-ounce and 12-ounce varieties at select retailers, and are only available for a limited time.

3M Patch Plus Primer is the only product on the market that uses nanotechnology to create a quick-drying, strong, and even patch in just one easy step. This product was designed to address the challenges painters typically face when patching a wall, such as cracking, shrinking, and flashing (change in paint sheen). Advanced acrylic resins offer great paint anchoring compared with traditional patching compounds, and specially engineered fillers pack together to resist shrinking and provide strength.

M18 Fuel Sawzall Reciprocating Saw As part of Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel cordless power tool line, the Sawzall Reciprocating Saw offers all of the power of a corded tool in a cordless model. A PowerState brushless motor drives performance with no wearable components, no losses due to vibration, and less heat buildup. RedLink Plus Intelligence electronics are at the heart, maintaining communication between the tool, battery and charger. RedLithium batteries power the entire M18 Fuel line, providing up to twice the run time and recharge of standard lithium-ion batteries.

DuraSpin Auto-Feed Screwdrivers Senco offers two corded versions of its newest 2-inch collated auto-feed screwdrivers as well as two cordless models powered by an 18-volt lithium-ion battery. The cordless versions can drive 500 to 700 screws per charge depending on screw length and substrate. New features include higher torque motors; application-specific tool speeds of 2,500 or 5,000 rpm; variable speed trigger with lock and reverse options; patentpending corner-fit feed system for tight spaces;

and tool-free screw length adjustment.

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

price movement

Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index in the National Capital Region (2000=100) : September 2014 Year-on-Year and Month-on-Month Growth Rates of the Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index in the National Capital Region All Items

September 2014

August 2014

September Year-to- 2013 date

Year-on-Year

1.8

2.1

1.7

Month-on-Month

0.0

-0.1

0.3

• Year-on-Year The annual change in the Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) further improved to 1.8 percent in September. Last month, it was recorded at 2.1 percent and in September 2013, 1.7 percent. The index for fuels and lubricants posted an annual decline of 2.1 percent during the period. Moreover, the slower annual adjustments in the indices of eleven commodity groups contributed to the deceleration. On the other hand, the sand and gravel index grew by 4.6 percent; cement index, 3.3 percent; structural steel index, 1.2 percent; and glass and glass products index, 2.7 percent. The plumbing fixtures and accessories index retained its previous month’s rate of 6.9 percent while no movements were seen in the indices of asphalt and machinery and equipment rental. 42 | Philippine Construction&Design November - December 2014

2.2

www.dscrusher.com

• Month-on-Month From the previous month’s level, the CMWPI in NCR generally remained stable in September as most of the commodity groups had zero growths. The indices of sand and gravel and reinforcing steel registered a higher monthly gain of 0.2 percent and

plumbing fixtures and accessories index, 0.5 percent. However, the fuels and lubricants index dropped by 1.0 percent while increments in the indices of cement, plywood, lumber, glass and glass products, and electrical works were slower during the month. The structural steel index moved at its last month’s rate of 0.1 percent. Prices of cement, gravel, sand, G.I. sheets, lumber, plywood, steel bars, some hardware items and electrical wires were on the uptrend while price decreases were observed in gasoline, diesel and fuel oil during the month.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS WHOLESALE PRICE INDEX (CMWPI) IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION (NCR) (2000 = 100)

November - December 2014 Philippine Construction&Design

44 | Philippine Construction&Designâ&#x20AC;&#x192; November - December 2014