DTI set to issue recommendations on imported newsprints, galvanized iron

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to issue by the end of the month recommendations on the petitions for the imposition of safeguard measures on imported newsprints and galvanized iron (GI) and pre-painted galvanized iron sheets (PPGI).

“We’re looking at the end of the month,” DTI Bureau of Import Services director Luis Catibayan said in a text message, when asked when the department expects to complete its recommendations for both cases.

Earlier, Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. said the DTI would complete the preliminary investigation being conducted for both cases in January.

“We just need a little more time. It is quite technical,” he said.

The DTI launched its preliminary investigation on imports of newsprint as well as GI and PPGI sheets in September last year.

The investigation is being conducted as Trust International Paper Co. (TIPCO) and Puyat Steel Corp. filed petitions to impose safeguard measures on newsprint as well as GI and PPGI sheets, respectively.

TIPCO claims in its petition that there has been an increase in newsprint imports and such has caused serious injury to the local industry.

Locally produced newsprint made mainly from recycled paper is used for newspapers, books and school pads.

As for GI and PPGI sheets, Puyat Steel said imports of such threaten the local industry, citing declining market share, production sales, capacity utilization, productivity, profitability, as well as price suppression and undercutting.

Safeguard measures are higher duties a country could impose on imported goods to provide relief to domestic industries.

The safeguard measures could be applied when it is found that there is an increase in imports of a certain commodity and such has hurt the local industry.

Depending on the result of the DTI’s preliminary investigation, it could forward the cases to the Tariff Commission, which would then conduct formal investigations.