Homebuilders air concern over adulterated cement

Complaints about substandard and adulterated cement have been reported in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Calabarzon, Bicol, and most recently Metro Manila.

Homebuilders, contractors and masons have been calling in and filing complaints about inconsistencies in the performance of the brands Lucky Cement and Mayon Cement to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial and regional offices across Southern Tagalog and NCR.

DTI has reportedly begun an investigation into whether slag, a waste product from the manufacture of steel, is being added to bagged Portland cement by the two brands. Complaints have been called to retail outlets in those areas, many of which have consulted with the Philippine Cement Manufacturers Corp. (Philcemcor) for assistance in determining whether the Portland cement is substandard or not.

Philcemcor told DTI investigators that laboratory reports indicate the two brands of cement have consistently tested positive for slag, with percentages of up to 35 percent of the total cement mixture. "That is a very high amount of slag, considering slag is not allowed to be added the Portland cement according the Philippine National Standard," said Jose Tan, principal Industry Commodity Expert (ICE) for cement.

"We have alerted DTI fo what we have found and of the concerns we have been hearing in the market," said Tan. "We have been assured that the DTI is looking into the matter as we speak with its Bureau of Product Standards."

"Slag is just a filler," Tan explained. "It’s like the fake shampoos that are diluted with water and sold as the real thing."

Like many complainant, homeowner Abet Olivares expressed concern in a letter to the DTI office in Laguna. "I have just built my home using Lucky Portland cement and have seen a clear difference with the coloring and workability of the cement." He is asking the authorities to let him know the outcome of their investigation so that he can take the proper measures.

Philippine National Standard (PNS) 07:2000 defines the quality standard of Portland Cement and manufacturers are licensed by the DTI to manufacture Portland Cement conforming with such standards in an effort to ensure consumers a consistent quality and purity of cement.