Cement prices soar to as high as P170/bag

Cement prices continue to rise, hitting as high as P170 per bag in the tiny province of Siquijor.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry it is "closely coordinating with its regional and provincial offices nationwide in monitoring the trends in cement prices to appropriately respond to any unusual price increases, especially during the summer months where peak demand for cement is historically noted."

The DTI reported that the prevailing average retail prices of gray Portland cement nationwide for the period March 1 to 11, 2005 showed a slight increase of 0.29 percent from P158.05 to P158.51 per 40-kg bag compared to the fourth week of February 2005.

The retail price of cement remained constant for all the other regions nationwide ranging from P153 to P165 per 40-kg bag except for Region III (Cabanatuan) where the average retail price increased from P150 to P154 per 40-kg bag.

Assistant Trade Secretary J. Norman Hocson further revealed that in Siquijor, the price for a 40-kg bag has hit P170. However, Hocson explained, the increase is due to high shipping cost.

The cement industry claims that the increase in the retail prices of cement since January is due to the increase in the cost of transportation resulting from the series of fuel increases.

Local cement manufacturers are seeking an extension on the safeguard measures on gray Portland cement which expired last Dec. 9, 2004.

The Tariff Commission (TC) has conducted public hearings to investigate the merits of the request for extension.

While the DTI awaits the report of the Tariff Commission, it has sought the cement industry’s assurance for a stable and steady supply of cement.

Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos did not want to comment on the safeguard issues, pointing out that "the question of whether to continue with the safeguard measure is now dependent on the motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court."

Specifically, Santos pointed out, "the issue being settled by the Supreme Court is in the context of can the Secretary override the recommendation of the Tariff Commission."

Santos added that "the Supreme Court will decide whether my predecessor was correct in overriding the decision."

Santos noted that there was a recommendation by the Tariff Commission then, but former Trade Secretary Manuel A. Roxas III "set aside and came up with his own decision. That is the one being contested."

Santos acknowledged the dilemma, "is that the proper thing to do? Nobody is contesting, I think, the fact that the Secretary can decide on the safeguards. But under what circumstances?"

Santos, however, expressed hesitation about raising the import duty on imported cement in the event that the SC rules against the re-imposition of the cement safeguard measure.

According to Santos, raising the import duty is "an option but it would have to go through a very lengthy process."