Cement sales in the Philippines rose 3.2 per cent in the second quarter of this year, underpinned by public works projects and private sector construction activity.

Latest figures from the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) show that member-companies sold 5.52Mt in the three months to the end of June 2013 compared to 5.349Mt in the same period of last year.

First half sales rose six per cent to 10.718Mt versus 10.136Mt in 1H13.

CemMAP president Ernesto Ordonez attributed the higher demand to an increase in the highways budget as well as to continuous private-sector construction.

Last year cement sales climbed six per cent YoY to 19.445Mt from 18.356Mt in 2012.