Consunji-led Concreat Holdings Philippines Inc. (CHP), formerly Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc., remains confident of its three-year target to return to profitability set last year despite the ongoing oil crisis.

“I’m still confident, very, very confident, in turning around the company in three years. This year, our target is to be operating cash positive, and with this, we’ll be able to attain it in the sense that we have prepared our soft and hard assets to address this. So, we are very much confident in attaining all the three years’ objectives,” said Concreat President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Herbert M. Consunji during the firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting (ASM).

He acknowledged that, “This fuel crisis is a test of our resilience and how we will react. Under the DMCI group, we have experienced similar challenges. We have organized ourselves in order to respond to the current circumstances. It is important that we carry the right attitude in order to mitigate the situation of our company while helping others who are also affected.”

Consunji said the improvements the company has made will put it in a better position to grow and optimize in 2026.

This year, the firm plans to continue promoting its ordinary Portland cement (OPC) products, focus on core markets, and utilize its newly expanded capacity. Concreat aims to strengthen its market position through service, quality products, and faster delivery.

For its operations, the company continues to invest in plant reliability and has earmarked a maintenance budget of ₱1.3 billion out of its ₱2.9-billion capital expenditures (capex) budget for 2026, bringing total spending for repairs and maintenance to ₱2 billion since DMCI took over CHP.

Concreat will also tap synergies within the DMCI group and, beginning this year, is sourcing power from Sem-Calaca to support its electricity needs while increasing the use of fuel ash from Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC).

The firm will use about 600,000 tons of fuel ash annually as an alternative raw material to increase output and improve cost efficiency.

For logistics, Concreat will further simplify its footprint by reducing external warehouses and terminals from 20 in 2024 to just one by the second half of 2026.

It will also maximize the use of the expanded Apo Cement port facilities, eliminate the use of third-party ports, and further evaluate expensive distribution modes in favor of more efficient alternatives.

For funding, Concreat has secured long-term financing, including a ₱5-billion, 10-year loan for capex and ₱4.5-billion seven-year refinancing facilities that lower borrowing costs.

“While 2026 remains uncertain, we are prepared to face these challenges. We are moving with a sense of diligence, investing where it matters, review and recalibrate strategies to address market conditions. Our direction is clear: a more reliable, cost effective, and customer-focused company,” Consunji said.