Building homes hurdle uncertainty

Building homes hurdle uncertainty | Daily Tribune

“We cater to all segments of the market. So we cater, of course, to the professionals, the specifiers,” she said.

“We’re not just selling products, but basically we’re selling solutions, and we want it really easy for anyone who’s building, improving, or renovating their homes to have the seamless experience from the time that they inquire about what to use for their spaces.”

Bosch-Ong, who has been with Wilcon since 1984, emphasized the company’s broad product range — spanning both mid-range and premium price points — while maintaining consistent quality standards.

Quality sells

“The selling proposition of Wilcon is really [that] we carry a wide array of products that are of good quality standard,” she said.

“It’s really value for money, if you want [prices] catering to the middle market, but of course, at par with whatever standard you’re looking for,” she added.

Wilcon Depot went public in 2017, raising a little over P7 billion in capital through its initial public offering. Bosch-Ong described the milestone as a collective turning point for the company.

“It’s a call to action for us, and we are more accessible now because when we got listed, we were able to expand aggressively. We’re able to reach out to more markets,” she said.

While Luzon remains the company’s traditional stronghold, Bosch-Ong noted that Wilcon has since grown to 104 locations, extending its footprint across the Visayas and Mindanao.

Bosch-Ong also weighed in on public outrage over substandard infrastructure, which was thrust into the spotlight by the “Floodgate” scandal and amplified by the series of natural disasters that struck the country in 2025.

“I always say in discussions like this, why would you compromise quality over price? You end up spending more,” she said. She explained that delaying safety improvements often leads to higher costs later, as inflation drives up prices — underscoring the importance of building right the first time.

Despite broader economic uncertainty stemming from the flood control controversy, Bosch-Ong reaffirmed Wilcon’s commitment to Filipino homeowners.

“Wilcon [remains] true to its mission of helping every Filipino build, improve, and renovate their homes,” she said. “All of us are hoping that it will give us a light, you know, positivity and solution to all these issues that we are facing.”