The partnership was sealed in late 2017 between the country’s Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and private venture Revolution Precrafted. The company supplies prefabricated designer houses that can be shipped to anywhere in the world in 90 days.
The DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development has indicated that since Revolution is a Philippines brand, the government is committed to supporting it by fostering technological know-how in the prefab industry to encourage economic and societal benefits.
Founded in 2015, Revolution is the Philippines’ first unicorn startup, which means that it was valued at over $1 billion at startup phase.
A key focus for the company will be research into materials that can be used for prefab, low-cost houses. The company is also committed to working with the government to rebuild communities ruined by storms, like Tacloban City, or wars, like Marawi City, with the use of prefab technology.
Revolution currently sources its materials from India and Malaysia, but has plans to establish a plant in the Philippines which will use technology developed by DOST scientists and university researchers.
It is understood DOST plans to either fund or co-fund projects to create products which the prefab industry can use. One project currently underway is the development of curved fibre cement board currently only available in straight slabs.■
