DTI putting in place measures to safeguard cement makers as imports hurt local industry

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday said it will put measures to safeguard and protect the cement industry, as surging imports of the construction material in past years have hurt the domestic sector.

In a press conference in Makati City, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the DTI will issue on Saturday, January 12, the measures safeguarding the cement industry.

Lopez declined spell out the details beyond saying  the measures may include additional duties on imported cement.

“Assuming there will be duties, there will be a price ceiling which will determine when the duty will be suspended,” he said.

Citing a DTI industry review, Lopez said cement imports have increased significantly in 2014 to 2017.

The year-on-year increases in imports were:

• 70 percent in 2014

• 4,400 percent in 2015

• 550 percent in 2016

• 72 percent in 2017

In terms of market share, imports went up from 0.02 percent in 2013 to 15 percent in 2017.

“Imports are assuring kaya stable ang prices. But kung naapektuhan na ‘yung employment and industry output, ‘yan ang magiging problema natin—aasa na tayo sa imports at pababayaan ba natin na mamatay ang industrya natin,” Lopez said.

“That’s why we have trade measures we will institute,” he said. —VDS, GMA News