Gov’t urged to use duty for cement industry

Fair Trade Alliance (FTA) convenor and former Senator Wigberto Tañada is urging the government to use the proceeds of the safeguard tariff on imported cement to strengthen safety nets and aid struggling local industries.

Tañada said the imposition of definitive safeguard tariffs on imported cement demonstrates "strong political will" on the part of government and sends a "positive signal to local industries beleaguered by the flood of imports."

Tañada said the imposition of definitive safeguards on imported cement is a "win-win for all–government, consumers, industry, workers and local communities."

"The P20.60 per bag tariff on imported cement is a revenue source for the government," Tañada said, adding that "the proceeds of the tariff should now be used to strengthen safety nets and aid struggling local industries."

He said Section 34 of Republic Act 8800 or the Safeguard Measures Act requires that 50 percent of safeguard tariff should go to a remedies fund for use by implementing agencies in the implementation of safety nets.

The other 50 percent of the safeguard tariffs collection should be used for competitiveness-enhancement measures for industries affected by increased imports.