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The Philippine construction industry can improve its resilience amid ongoing global trade uncertainties by modernizing its operations and strengthening domestic supply chains.


“The tariff shifts introduced by US President Donald J. Trump have triggered ripple effects across global supply chains, affecting everything from raw materials to technology imports,” Vitaly Berezka, regional spokesperson for APAC (Asia-Pacific) at Austrian construction technology firm PlanRadar, said in an e-mail. “For the Philippine construction and property sectors, the most immediate risk lies in rising costs and potential delays tied to sourcing construction inputs.”


“The imposition of reciprocal tariffs by President Trump has certainly brought headwinds to the local construction industry. These tariffs will disrupt the construction supply chain, and hence might impact availability, lead times and pricing of imported construction materials,” Jason C. Valderrama, president and chief executive officer at construction firm JCV & Associates, said.


According to Mr. Berezka, the Philippines has an opportunity to position itself as a regional innovation hub as global firms rethink supply chains.


“By accelerating investment in digital infrastructure and construction technology, the country can increase project efficiency, attract forward-thinking investors, and strengthen its long-term resilience,” he said.


Local construction firms should push for digitalization to let them adapt to evolving global conditions accordingly, Mr. Berezka said.


“Embracing construction technologies like AI-powered platforms, cloud-based documentation, and digital twins will provide the visibility and flexibility needed to adapt in real-time to supply chain or regulatory shocks.”


In particular, they can adopt property technology or “proptech” platforms and digital construction tools, he said.


Construction-related technologies could also help these companies optimize procurement, automate workflows, and reduce material waste, he added.


AI is becoming a “powerful equalizer” in the construction industry amid the global uncertainties, he said, adding that using AI for predictive analytics can help construction managers anticipate delays or cost overruns and automate risk detection.


AI can also streamline reporting and compliance, which is crucial amid shifting regulatory and trade landscapes, Mr. Berezka said.


“Diversifying supplier bases and investing in local supply chains can reduce vulnerability to external tariff policies and logistical constraints. The Philippines has an opportunity to grow its internal capacity while still attracting international partnerships,” he added.


Mr. Valderrama said that with muted US demand for construction materials likely to lead source markets to consider exporting to the Philippines to skirt the higher tariffs, the Philippines must ramp up the development and completion of key infrastructure projects, address the housing backlog, and elevate the country’s manufacturing sector.


The construction industry must also widen its in-country and offshore supply pool, pursue vertical integration, utilize technologies, and adopt modern construction methods and sustainability practices, he said.


Mr. Berezka likewise said that industry players must collaborate with the government on long-term infrastructure plans to incentivize innovation and create a stable regulatory framework that encourages digital adoption and sustainable development.


“Resilience in this era will depend not just on withstanding disruption, but on using it as a catalyst to modernize and evolve. The future belongs to construction ecosystems that are digitally enabled, operationally agile, and strategically diversified.”


  • Writer: Ziggurat Realestatecorp
    Ziggurat Realestatecorp
  • May 8
  • 1 min read

Manila fell four places to 125th out of 146 cities in the latest edition of the Smart City Index. This was the Philippine capital’s lowest ranking thus far according to Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD).


The Smart City Index measures and rates each city’s level of technological application to the five key areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunity, and governance.


Manila Smart Index profile 2025
Manila Smart Index profile 2025


  • Writer: Ziggurat Realestatecorp
    Ziggurat Realestatecorp
  • May 5
  • 2 min read

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center said more smart city projects are needed, citing the need to incorporate advanced technology in key infrastructure projects.


“There is a need for us to develop more digital infrastructure, smart city projects,” PPP Center Director for project development service Raphael M. Badillo said in an online briefing.


Smart City projects refer to the efficient management of infrastructure and public services like mobility, water, and energy.


The PPP Center website lists 18 information and communications technology projects valued at a combined P35.87 billion. The projects are currently in the pipeline or being implemented, the PPP Center said.


“Private sector expertise and efficiencies play a vital role in enabling smart city development since these smart cities heavily depend on technology and innovation,” Mr. Badillo said.


Projects include the P2.10-billion Bacolod Super City Project which was awarded to Highdata Infra Corp.


This project involves a centralized command center for traffic monitoring, natural disasters, criminal activity, emergency response and public alerts. The Bacolod Super City project also includes the installation of video surveillance equipment, deployment of analytics, and the development of comprehensive geographic information system software for the creation of maps, spatial analysis and data integration.


The smart city PPP projects also include the P3.29-billion smart urban mobility proposal of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) which is currently being negotiated.


MPTC’s unsolicited proposal for Baguio City involves the financing, design, procurement, construction, and installation of urban mobility solutions, including a congestion fee scheme; traffic enforcement system; parking management system and smart command center.


“The private sector can finance these critical infrastructure development projects to enable this smart city development. We encourage companies expressing interest in pursuing more digital infrastructure because a lot of local government units definitely need these innovations and technological advancements,” Mr. Badillo said.


© Copyright 2018 by Ziggurat Real Estate Corp. All Rights Reserved.

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