Sta. Barbara wants to be known as ‘brick town’
STA.BARBARA–The municipal government here is bent on pushing brick-making as one of the town’s major industries.
Municipal Administrator Albertini de Guzman said there are currently three barangays (Ventenilla, Primicias, and Maningding) actively engaged in the business.
De Guzman, following a series of meetings held with the seven brick producers in these barangays, said, “We have organized them into an association with the help of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).”
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has also been tapped to help provide them with the necessary machineries capable of year-round production.
De Guzman said the market demand for bricks is strong and their producers are actually unable to produce enough supply.
The DOST has advised the producers of the availability of expensive modern machines but pointed out that cheaper alternatives are already in an advanced stage of development.
“Sinabi nila (DOST) na may dine-device sila na mas maliit na machine na capable of manufacturing bricks all-year round,” De Guzman said.
The brick manufacturers themselves have also been encouraged to think of possible technological innovations that will help them increase production.
BRICK-MAKER
Arnulfo Benito, owner of the Benito Brick Factory in barangay Ventenilla, currently uses a carabao to make the clay more suitable for brick-making.
“Pinatatapakan namin sa kalabaw ‘yung putik para mas maging pino, ito ‘yung pagmamasa ng putik,” said Benito, who has been in the business since 1983.
He said he prefers to use the old methods in making brick over the modern technology.
“Production cost will be higher with the modern machines because you will need electricity, we can save more with the old ways,” he said.
Meanwhile, De Guzman noted that all public buildings in their town has a brick component and they want to highlight these as a means of promoting the town’s brick industry.
“We really want to showcase na ‘pag sinabi mong Sta.Barbara, what will come to mind is the bricks,” he said.–CSR
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