THE Mindanao economy is set for a major boost with the establishment of a state-of-the-art, multi-billion-peso cement manufacturing facility in the Davao region.
This development marks a significant milestone in the region’s industrial progress, bringing immediate and long-term benefits to the local economy, infrastructure, and employment landscape.
Following the successful operation of Mindanao’s first cement grinding plant in Zamboanga del Norte, Phinma Corporation, in partnership with Anflo Management and Investment Corporation (Anflocor), has officially broken ground for the ₱2-billion Philcement Mindanao Corporation facility in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Eduardo Sahagun, President and CEO of Philcement Corporation and Philcement Mindanao Corporation, underscored the strategic importance of the facility.
“Mindanao needs a lot of infrastructure from hospitals and bridges to schools. This is where it will come from. The people living here will avail relatively cheaper price of cement,” he said in the vernacular.
Sahagun highlighted the plant’s broader significance, a testament to the enduring partnership between two of the Philippines’ most prominent business families. The collaboration, he noted, reflects a shared commitment to driving economic growth and sustainability for Mindanao and the country.
Set to commence operations in 2026, the plant will produce two million metric tons of cement annually, strengthening the supply of Union Cement, Philcement’s flagship brand.
The facility features a cutting-edge design and includes a dedicated berth managed by Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) Bulk Terminal, Inc., ensuring streamlined cement shipments and efficient distribution.
The project’s foundation was laid in June 2024, when Phiinma and Anflocor signed an agreement to establish the facility. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, PHINMA noted that the early signing underscored the strengthening ties between the del Rosario and Floirendo families, reinforcing their shared leadership in infrastructure development and regional economic growth.
Philcement Mindanao Corporation, a subsidiary of Philcement, holds a 70 percent ownership stake in the venture, while Anflocor owns the remaining 30 percent.
Sahagun reiterated the importance of construction materials in improving living standards, emphasizing that partnerships like this contribute significantly to Mindanao’s progress. DEF
