Update on cement dumping case out by January

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is expected to release updates on their investigation of cement dumping in the country by January, a little over two months after it initiated a motu proprio probe to determine if rising imports of this construction material is harming the local industry.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters during a recent roundtable discussion in Makati that fresh information on the investigation will be released by the middle or near the end of next month.

The DTI issued a notice that it started an investigation in late October so it can assess whether safeguard or antidumping duties are necessary.

READ: PCCI backs government probe into cement ‘dumping’

Antidumping duties is a form of trade remedy to correct unfair trade practices by exporters or brands, which are intended to level the playing field in an industry.

Later, on Nov. 27, the Tariff Commission (TC) also said it has initiated a review of the antidumping duty imposed against cement coming from Vietnam.

The announcement of the TC marked three years since the government announced an order on its implementation back in December 2022.

The independent adjudicatory body on trade remedy cases said the ad interim review stemmed from Roque’s recommendation as well as separate requests from local makers.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) have both expressed their support toward the investigation.

The PCCI highlighted the need to protect the local cement industry, citing its significant part in the country’s economy.

The country’s largest business group said that the local sector accounts for at least one percent of the gross domestic product and also employs an estimated 13,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Meanwhile, the FPI cited the need for an investigation under the context of cement imports increasing continuously from 2019 to 2023.