The Tariff Commission has rejected an extension of anti-dumping duty on cement that local producers fear will cause serious harm to the market and consumers.

Among the TC finding in a 5 October report but which the local industry disputed as not reflecting reality was that there was no significant overall impairment in the position of the domestic cement industry that will constitute serious injury; and that "there is no imminent threat of serious injury and significant overall impairment to the condition of the domestic cement industry in the near future."

Nothing much has changed in the market condition from the time that cement dumping has been alleged, according to the petitioners.

Holcim Philippines Inc. vice president for Sustainability Zoe Sibala said during the TC hearing that the conditions which justified safeguard measures against cement imports almost three years ago remain practically unchanged which makes an extension necessary.

Based on the import data from the Bureau of Customs and the Staff Report of the TC, the volume of imported cement continues to increase and at lower prices at the retail level notwithstanding the increases in the prices of fuel and energy.

Based on the report of the TC staff, the share of imports to domestic production in terms of volume increased steadily from zero in 2013 to 5.3 million metric tons in 2019, increasing further to 6.88 million metric tons in 2021.

In contrast, the TC stated reasons for recommending an end to the punitive tariff on cement:

• The production output of the domestic industry constituted a major proportion of the total local production of Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 and Blended Cement Type 1P and thus satisfies the requirement of the law;

• The domestic cement industry has undertaken, and continues to undertake, considerable efforts to comply with its adjustment plans and is thus making positive adjustment to import competition;

• During the review, there was no significant overall impairment in the position of the domestic cement industry that constituted serious injury; and