CAGAYAN de Oro City Administrator Teodoro Sabuga-a has appealed to the City Council to pass an ordinance requiring construction firms and businesses to use eco-bricks for building roads and offices.
During the flag raising ceremony on Monday, April 22, Sabuga-a shared their visit in Germany where he saw the said country’s roads paved with eco-bricks made from recycled materials.
Sabuga-a said these bricks can help absorb floodwater faster and reduce carbon footprint.
Eco-bricks are reusable construction materials made from clean and dry used plastics. These are more durable and firm compared to the usual hollow block, according to Rommel Benig, president and chief executive officer of Green Antz Builders Inc.
Eco-bricks cost around P22 to P24 each, more expensive to the regular hollow blocks at P6-9 each, but Benig said using eco-bricks is actually cost-efficient, since you will be needing less cement, less labor, and does not need plastering.
Cagayan de Oro City has an Eco-Brick Hub, a project in partnership with Nestle Philippines, and Green Antz Builders, Inc., located at the former landfill in Zayas, Barangay Carmen.
The facility has the capacity to turn laminated plastic wastes, such as candy wrappers, sachet packaging, plastic bottles, into bricks that can be used for construction on buildings, houses, and other infrastructure deemed necessary.