Cement importers have refuted claims of a significant surge in imports into the Philippines, warning that additional trade restrictions could lead to higher construction material costs. In a position paper submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) following an investigation in October last year, industry players like Cohaco, Fortem, NGC, Pabaza, and Philcement argued that cement imports have remained steady, with modest increases since 2019.
While the DTI’s preliminary report highlights a rise in imports, from 30 percent of the market in 2019 to 51 percent in 2024, importers emphasized that this was due to the easing of pandemic-related disruptions and a shift in local production focus. They pointed out that the actual volume of imported cement sold in the market is not as high as reported, as much of it is used as raw material for locally manufactured cement.
Importers also underscored the strict quality control measures in place for imported cement and rejected the notion that increasing imports are harming the local market. With the local cement industry expanding production, the importers argued that the claimed decline in domestic manufacturing is not reflective of actual capacity. They called for the discontinuation of safeguard measures, asserting that such actions would be counterproductive, ultimately driving up costs for consumers.
