MANILA, Philippines - The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines is pushing for the reinstatement of the 5-percent tariff on cement, which Malacañang has ordered to be slashed to zero in December last year.

In a position paper submitted to the Tariff Commission on June 4, the group said the 5-percent tariff on cement clinkers, Portland cement and other hydraulic cements should be reimposed.

It wants the government to let the order slashing tariffs to zero to lapse this month.

In the same position paper, Cemap also called for the placement of clinkers, Portland cement and other hydraulic cements under the so-called ‘Sensitive List.’

“Extending the suspension of cement tariffs will expose the local cement industry to the entry of cement imports, which may not comply with Philippine National Standards on quality specifications and may be undervalued because of the adverse effects of the global financial crisis on traditional markets,” the paper stated.

“Undervalued and substandard cement may endanger consumer safety and will be injurious to the local cement industry as well as the economy,” it added.

Cemap said that with a zero-tariff regime, the country would be vulnerable to becoming a dumping ground for excess cement produced in countries such as China and Japan.