The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reiterated its support for the continued imposition of safeguard measures to protect local cement manufacturers from the dumping of imported products.

“We are in support of the imposition. I am personally in touch with the industry—not just cement, but all industries. We are supporting them. The President specifically told me to pay attention to it,” said Trade Secretary Cristina Roque.

She stressed that safeguarding the cement industry means protecting small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the sector.

“The safeguard measure is for MSMEs not to suffer. The local players play a pivotal role in the economy. Malaki ang economic benefits if they can supply all the local construction, from small houses to big buildings. But we can talk to them (Tariff Commission),” Roque said.

During Monday’s first hearing on the formal probe into imposing a definitive safeguard duty against importations of Ordinary Portland Cement (AHTN 2022 Subheading No. 2523.29.90) and Blended Cement (AHTN 2022 Subheading No. 2523.90.00), the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) presented strong evidence that the surge in imports has caused material injury to the domestic industry.

8% growth on imports

According to the Tariff Commission’s staff report, cement imports grew at a cumulative aggregate rate of 8 percent during the period of investigation, confirming a significant and sustained increase in import volumes.

CeMAP officers emphasized the urgency of the situation due to the continued decline in sales volume, revenue, operating profits, and employment—all attributed to the import surge.

They also highlighted the cement manufacturing sector as highly strategic, having one of the highest employment multipliers, and playing a key role in achieving the government’s infrastructure and sustainability goals.

CeMAP maintained that the local industry has more than enough capacity to meet national demand.

“Total installed capacity now stands at 51 million metric tons, following new capacity additions by both CeMAP and non-CeMAP members over the past two years. Notably, Solid Cement Corporation invested in an additional 1.5 million metric tons of capacity and recently commissioned. Meanwhile, Taiheiyo Cement with its new line increased its capacity by 3 million metric tons per annum,” said CeMAP Executive Director Ray Baja.

Despite these expansions, capacity utilization remains low at only 53 percent, indicating underuse of local production — allegedly due to the influx of cheaper imports.

“This low capacity utilization is allegedly caused by the influx of imports, according to the CeMAP official.  

Cement industry’s social and environmental role

In terms of environmental and social responsibility, the industry continues to contribute through programs such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP).

Republic Cement President John Reinier Dizon shared that “Republic Cement’s resource recovery group, Ecoloop, successfully diverted 21.4 billion plastic sachets in 2023 — equivalent to 110,000 tons of residual waste — used as alternative fuel in the company’s co-processing operations.”

This, he said, shows the industry's growing role in addressing waste management challenges while supporting community development.

Despite these contributions, CeMAP reiterated that the industry remains vulnerable due to regional oversupply and sustained importation. A “strategic and temporary intervention,” they said, is necessary to ensure the sector’s long-term survival.

CeMAP committed to working closely with the Tariff Commission throughout the rest of the hearings to advocate for fair competition and protect national interest.

Last year, Secretary Roque initiated a motu proprio probe on cement dumping to determine whether increased cement imports were causing or threatening to cause serious harm to the local industry.

According to evidence obtained by DTI, the domestic cement sector incurred losses amounting to P15 billion in 2023.