Cement makers get more time to submit arguments

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is extending more time to cement importers and local cement manufacturers to submit their arguments on the need for industry safeguards.

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the DTI is doing its best to be fair and impartial on its evaluation of the petition of the cement industry for tariff safeguards against imports.

In a radio interview yesterday, Roxas said he "does not want any of the local cement factories to close down as this will result in the loss of thousands of jobs."

Roxas said that aside from the fate of cement industry workers, the DTI is "also concerned about the price of cement as it has a significant impact on government’s infrastructure development activities," adding that "if there is a stable price environment in the cement industry, the government will be able to build more roads, school-buildings, low-cost housing and other infrastructure."

Earlier, Roxas took note of the fact that while cement imports are coming in at below P100 per bag, they are being sold at around P125 per bag.

Roxas described the mark-up as "abnormal" and that it indicates "supernormal profits instead of providing competitive pressure to the domestic industry."

The DTI chief also commented that "importers appear to be shadowing the prices of domestics, thereby not providing the competitive pressure to bring down prices."

Roxas estimates that the DTI will be able to make its decision on the matter sometime near the end of August.

Under RA 8800, otherwise known as the Safeguards Measure Act, the DTI can make a preliminary determination as to whether or not an import surge is hurting a local industry.

The DTI can either dismiss the petition for the imposition of safeguards or offer provisional relief such as imposing a tariff for a limited period.

The local cement industry has been complaining against the entry of cheap imported cement.