Holcim contest on outstanding Filipino masons now open

Post date: Apr 09, 2014 7:50:10 AM

Cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, Inc. is now accepting nominations for the fourth cycle of the Holcim Galing Mason Award, a program to honor Filipino masons who show great skill and pride in their work and are also model citizens in their community.

Holcim Philippines, which kicked off the program starting June will accept nominations until August 16, 2013. Any reputable individual or legitimate organization may nominate working masons who are at least 25 years old and have resided in their area for no less than a year. Persons to be nominated should be holders of valid Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Certificate on Masonry. Certificates of good moral character from at least two local organizations, along with other necessary documents should accompany the nomination to be submitted to the TESDA Provincial Office in their areas.

Nominees will go through three levels of selection process: provincial, regional and national. Only the top three (3) nominees from each region get to compete in the regional level, the winners of which move on to the national competition. The winner, who will be proclaimed in October is chosen based on his productivity, technical competence and professionalism.

The Most Outstanding Mason will get P 150,000 in cash, the Regional winners take home P25,000 in cash while the nominating individual or organization with the most number of nominees gets P 15,000. The first cycle in 2007 was won by Sergio Barliso of Cebu, the 2009 competition was topped by Rodante Andres of Capiz and the 2011 grand champions were Eduardo Latap of NCR and Alejandro Tagle of Cagayan Valley.

Holcim Philippines sustainable development head Michael Cabalda encouraged individuals and organizations to participate and nominate masons in their areas who fit the Galing Mason Award profile.

“Masons play a critical role since they help build structures necessary for our country’s development. It is only fitting that we honor those who do their job well and at the same time are role models in their communities. We hope that organizations familiar with these workers will go out of their way to nominate them,” Cabalda said.

The Holcim Galing Mason Award, which is held every two years, is part of Holcim Philippines’ flagship corporate social responsibility program and done in partnership with TESDA, Philippine Constractors Association (PCA) and Association of Construction & Informal Workers (ACIW). Its other components are the Galing Mason Olympics, a three-day masonry competition and the Galing Mason Training, a seven-day skills enhancement and certification program.

Holcim Philippines implemented the Galing Mason Program to help improve the skills and knowledge of masons about their trade and professionalize the industry. The company has helped train over 8,000 masons under the program.

For more details about the competition, please contact the Holcim Galing Mason Hotlines mobile number 0919-5367425; 0917-8664252 and email galingmasonawards@yahoo.com. Nomination kits are available at Holcim and TESDA offices and PCA & ACIW Chapters nationwide.

About Holcim

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents. Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) is a Phlippine-based cement manufacturer and a member of the Holcim Group. Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of cement to the domestic and export markets. The company produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in bags, tonner bags and in bulk. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Unon, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental and Davao. It currently has over 1,700 employees in the Philippines.

Contact:

Edgar U. Timbungco

Manager, Communications Services

Holcim Philippines, Inc.

Telephone no.: 459-3333