Cement prices unaffected by quarrying suspension

The suspension of quarrying activities in selected regions in the aftermath of a landslide in Naga, Cebu is not likely to significantly jack up cement prices, some of the country’s major cement producers said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources imposed a 15-day suspension on quarrying activities in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon, Bicol, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao and Caraga from Sept. 21. As of last week, however, the suspension had been lifted in 90 percent of these regions.

Asked about talks that it would raise cement prices by P30 per bag after resuming quarrying operations, leading cement producer Holcim Philippines replied: “The price increases Holcim Philippines had implemented this year were due to the rising costs of imported production inputs and energy.”

“The temporary quarrying ban had minimal impact on Holcim Philippines that would warrant any movement in prices since our raw materials suppliers were among those immediately cleared by the government to resume operations,” Holcim said.

“No price increases,” Eagle Cement Corp. chair Ramon Ang said in a text message, noting that the market for cement remained soft due to the influx of imported cement that constrained producers’ ability to raise prices.

Meanwhile, Apo Land & Quarry Corp.—one of the principal suppliers of Cemex Holdings Philippines’ subsidiary APO Cement Corp.—was among those whose quarrying operations remained suspended as the landslide occurred in the area covered by its mining rights.

In a disclosure, Cemex said its units, Apo and Solid Cement Corp., continued to operate their respective cement plants .

The landslide in Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Tina-an, Naga, Cebu was apparently triggered by heavy downpour of rains. —DORIS DUMLAO-ABADILLA