The government’s decision to slap safeguard duties on imported cement is expected to steady the domestic market and restore fair competition, following the release of Customs Memorandum Circular No. 42-2026.
The circular enforces Department Administrative Order No. 25-15, issued by the Department of Trade and Industry, which imposes definitive general safeguard measures on imports of Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 and Blended Cement from various countries for three years.
Under the first year of implementation, a safeguard duty of P14 per 40-kilogram bag, which is equivalent to P349 per metric ton, will be collected on covered cement imports.
The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) welcomed the move, saying it would address the surge of imported cement that has inflicted serious injury on local producers.
“The issuance of Customs Memorandum Circular 42-2026 supports fair competition and stability in the Philippine cement industry,” the group said in a statement, stressing that swift enforcement is critical to leveling the playing field.
CeMAP also thanked the Tariff Commission, the Department of Finance, and the Bureau of Customs for backing and implementing the safeguard measure.
CeMAP Executive Director Renato Baja said the duties would help ensure the continued viability of domestic manufacturers, protect thousands of Filipino jobs, and sustain investments in environmentally responsible and energy-efficient production technologies.
Industry players argue that stabilizing the local cement sector is crucial as the country ramps up infrastructure and housing projects. A healthier domestic industry, they say, guarantees a reliable supply of high-quality cement nationwide, reducing vulnerability to volatile global markets.
With safeguard measures now in force, stakeholders are betting the policy will cement long-term resilience while preserving competitive balance in one of the economy’s foundational industries.
