Philippines: Manila firm eyes plant in Cebu town

Explorations have begun for the establishment of a cement plant in the southwestern Cebu town of Pinamungahan in The Philippines.

Glenn Baricuatro, Pinamungajan mayor, said that Century Peak Corporation, a Manila-based cement company, has been conducting exploration for nearly a year in the municipality's mountain areas in the municipality to determine mineral deposits for cement production. Mr Baricuatro said the establishment of a cement factory in his town would spur economic activities in Cebu's west coast.

While limestone is common in all places, Baricuatro said Pinamungajan is the only municipality in Cebu that has a silica deposit. Baricuatro said that once the cement firm is operational, it can generate employment of at least a thousand of his constituents who need not go to Cebu City and other places to find jobs.