Displaying items by tag: Department of Trade and Industry

The Pacific Cement Corporation (PACEMCO) held a groundbreaking ceremony this week officially ‘reopening’ its cement plant in Surigao City. The revival of the plant has been supported by investments by San Miguel Corporation (SMC). Various dignitaries attended the event including John Paul Ang, the chief operating officer of SMC, the mayor of Surigao City mayor and the governor of Surigao del Norte.

The plant has been closed since 2014 due to financial problems. At the time, Global Cement reported that the cement plant stopped operations in May 2014 after the Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative cut its power supply for unsettled debts worth at least US$0.5m. PACEMCO was originally set up in 1967 and the plant had a production capacity of 0.22Mt/yr via one production line in 2014.

Earlier in March 2025 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was keen to highlight the efforts that Taiheiyo Cement Philippines (TCP) is making towards supporting the country's infrastructure capacity. Company executives met with the DTI and revealed plans including building a distribution terminal in Calaca, Batangas with the aim of targeting the Luzon market. This follows the construction of a new US$220m production line at TCP’s San Fernando plant in Cebu in July 2024.

Both announcements follow the implementation in late February 2025 of a provisional tariff on cement imports. The DTI started investigating imports in the autumn of 2024 and later decided to initiate a ‘preliminary safeguard measure’ following the discovery of a “causal link between the increased imports of the products under consideration and serious injury to the domestic industry.” The tariff takes the form of a cash bond of US$6.95/t or US$0.28/40kg bag of cement. It will be in place for 200 days, to mid-September 2025, while the Philippine Tariff Commission conducts a final investigation. The two main countries that will be affected are Vietnam and Japan. A large number of countries are exempt from the tariff including, notably, China and Indonesia. Both of these two countries were larger sources of imports to the Philippines during the five-year period the DTI is investigating. However, imports from these places have declined since 2021 and 2023 respectively.

Graph 1: Import of cement to the Philippines, 2019 - 2024. Source: Department of Trade and Industry.

A preliminary report by the DTI published in late February 2025 outlines the reasons for the provisional tariff. In summary it found that imports rose from 2019 and 2024 and the share of imports increased also pushing down the domestic share of sales. In the view of the report, the domestic cement sector experienced declining sales, production, capacity utilisation, profitability and employment for each year apart from 2021. One point to note is that the imports were split roughly 50:50 between local and foreign companies. Local company Philcement, for example, was the largest importer for cement to the Philippines from 2019 to 2024. In its statement to the DTI it said that it had invested in manufacturing the processing sites in the country. It argued that overprotection of the market discouraged competition and might not be aligned with the economic goals of the country.

Last time Global Cement Weekly covered the Philippines (GCW669) in July 2024 it looked likely that the government would take further action on imports. This has now happened on a temporary basis but it looks likely that it will become permanent. Recent investment announcements from local producers such as PACEMCO and TCP may be coincidental but they suggest a tentative confidence in the local sector.

Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry has imposed a preliminary safeguard measure on cement imports, primarily targeting Vietnam, which supplied 94% of imported cement in 2024.

The measure follows a finding that rising imports between 2019 and 2024 harmed domestic producers. The tariff applies to 40kg bags and will be in place for 200 days while the Philippine Tariff Commission conducts a final investigation. Vietnamese cement exporters have been advised to ‘monitor developments.’

Philippines: Taiheiyo Cement Philippines has informed the government of its plans to improve its distribution system in Luzon, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

The company has doubled the capacity of its US$224m Cebu facility from 50,000 bags/day to 100,000 bags/day. Additionally, it is constructing a distribution terminal in Calaca, Batangas, to better serve Luzon, which accounts for 64% of national cement demand.

"Once operational, this new facility will streamline logistics, optimise supply chain efficiency and ensure timely delivery of cement to this critical region," the DTI said.

Philippines: The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) and Eagle Cement Corporation have backed an order by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to investigate alleged excessive imports of cement. In a statement the parties said that the investigation ordered by DTI Secretary Cristina Roque is a critical step that underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring fair competition, according to the Manila Bulletin newspaper. They added that the move would protect the local cement industry from undue harm caused by imports.

CeMAP previously submitted its position paper to the DTI on 12 November 2024 on the issue of imports of cement. Eagle Cement has backed the Federation of Philippine Industries in its position on the need to protect the domestic cement sector.

Data from the Bureau of Customs show that cement imports rose by 5% year-on-year to 6.2Mt from January to October 2024. 94% of the imports originated from Vietnam with 5% from Japan and 1% from Indonesia.

Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched a safeguard measures investigation on cement imports to counter the ‘persistent influx’ affecting the Philippine market, according to the Manila Standard. This investigation has been praised by the Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (CeMAP), and aims to support local producers who are reportedly facing competition, despite the country’s production capacity of 50Mt/yr exceeding national demand, which is currently around 35Mt/yr.

Executive director of CeMAP Renato Baja said that imported cement from countries like Vietnam, where domestic demand is low and exports are high, affects local manufacturers. Vietnam contributes 93% of the Philippine’s cement imports, followed by China and Indonesia. According to Baja, local production currently operates at only 55- 60% of its installed capacity, which has increased production costs and forced temporary shutdowns of some plants. The DTI has invited cement manufacturers to submit their views on the imposition of safeguard measures. According to The Philippine Star, the DTI will conduct a preliminary investigation to decide if safeguard measures on cement imports are necessary. This is in line with Republic Act 8800, which allows the imposition of temporary safeguards or increased tariffs to protect domestic industries from an increase in imports.

Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines government has welcomed Thailand-based Shera’s upcoming US$50.4m Mabalacat fibre cement board plant in Pampanga. The DTI expects the plant to help to reduce the Philippines' reliance on imported fibre cement boards from 100%. The Manila Bulletin newspaper has reported that the plant, scheduled for commissioning in early 2025, is also expected to create 300 new jobs.

The Philippines’ trade secretary Cristina Roque said "This investment aligns perfectly with our strategic goals of becoming a global hub for manufacturing. By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies such as AI and Internet of Things, Shera is setting a new standard for innovation in the Philippines.”

Congratulations to Taiheiyo Cement Philippines (TCPI) this week for inaugurating its new 3Mt/yr production line at its Cebu plant. The US$220m line replaces the old line at the site that was closed in late 2021.

The plant was originally built by Grand Cement Manufacturing in the early 1990s. Japan-based Taiheiyo Cement took over in 2001 and later made the decision to upgrade the site in 2017. It then contracted China-based Anhui Conch and Sinoma (Handan) Construction for the project in 2021 and groundbreaking took place in mid-2022. Commercial operation of the new line was previously scheduled from May 2024. TCPI has also invested around US$140m in related projects such as its Jetty and Marine Belt Conveyor project, which links the Cebu plant to the coast via a conveyor. Other parts of this expenditure encompass the Luzon Distribution Terminal Project at Calaca in Batangas and general port development in San Fernando.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was keen to promote this example of a foreign-owned company investing in local manufacturing. DTI Secretary Fred Pascual pointed out that Japan is the country’s “second-largest trading partner and third-largest source of foreign investment.” He also linked the project to the national Build Better More infrastructure development programme and the Tatak Pinoy Act that was introduced in early 2024 to promote local industry. Along these lines, Republic Cement was awarded the Domestic Bidder’s Certificate of Preference this week. It is the first cement company to receive it. The initiative promotes the use of local manufactured materials in government projects as part of the Tatak Pinoy Act. As one might expect, the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP) supports the Tatak Pinoy Act. It voiced its support for the legislation in June 2024 when the DTI started to implement it. It noted that cement imports were just under 7Mt/yr in 2023 despite the anti-dumping duties imposed on a number of Vietnam-based producers and traders. This compares to a local production capacity of nearly 50Mt/yr.

CEMAP mentioned that new production lines from both TCPI and Solid Cement were expected in 2024. The latter project is a new production line being built at Solid Cement’s Antipolo plant near Manilla in Rizal province. Cemex Philippines held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 1.5Mt/yr line at its subsidiary back in 2019. However, Cemex said it was selling its Philippines-based business to DMCI Holdings and related companies in April 2024. As part of this process Cemex sold its local cement brands to the Consunji family, the owners of DMCI Holdings, in June 2024. Regulatory approval of the divestment is still pending but the sale of the brands suggest that the transaction is progressing. Completion is expected by the end of 2024. Operation of the new line at the Antipolo plant is anticipated from September 2024.

Another forthcoming plant project was announced by PHINMA Corporation in June 2024. It signed a joint venture deal with investment company Anflo Group to build a 2Mt/yr cement plant in Davao del Norte. The project is scheduled to be operational by 2026. Cement from the plant will be marketed under the Union Cement brand. The sums involved suggest a grinding plant but PHINMA’s cement division, Philcement Corporation, is involved with both manufacture and importation. PHINMA also signed a deal to buy Petra Cement in May 2024. The latter company runs a 0.5Mt/yr cement grinding plant in Zamboanga del Norte. PHINMA re-entered the cement market in the late 2010s when it bought the Union Cement brand and built a cement processing plant at Mariveles, Bataan in 2020.

The battles between cement producers and importers continue to play out in the Philippines as the country’s infrastructure plans gather pace. Yet the balance seems to be tilting more towards the favour of the local manufacturers at the moment, as new capacity gets proposed and built. Anti-dumping duties on imports, particularly those from Vietnam, have now been followed up with local procurement rules in the guise of the Tatak Pinoy Act. Whether this is enough remains to be seen. This kind of environment and the departure of Cemex may also start to revive questions about whether any other foreign-owned cement companies might be considering their options too.

Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has urged local cement manufacturers to apply for Tatak Pinoy certification, as the government promotes Philippine-made products. Local manufacturer Republic Cement was awarded the first Domestic Bidder’s Certificate of Preference (DOBID), ensuring the use of local materials in government projects.

DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said "One of our main priority industries under Tatak Pinoy is manufacturing. Hence, we really want local manufacturing companies to apply for the DOBID certificate so we can help them expand their market, boost growth and enhance competitiveness."

Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is enforcing stricter measures against non-compliant cement importers to protect the local market from substandard products. The DTI Bureau of Philippine Standards recently made a suspension after it conducted a market surveillance in Iloilo as part of its intensified monitoring of cement imports entering the country. The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) praised the recent actions of the DTI against cement importers, arguing that there has been ‘excessive’ and ‘unfairly priced’ volume of imported cement in the country to the detriment of local manufacturers, according to The Philippine Star.

CeMAP said “This recent action of the DTI-BPS sends a resounding message that non-compliance and unfair trade practices will not be tolerated. The impact of the DTI’s actions extend beyond the cement industry itself. A strong and competitive local cement sector is vital in supporting the Philippines’ continued infrastructure development and economic growth.”

Philippines: The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CMAP) is working with the government to attract both domestic and foreign investment to the sector to expand domestic production at low cost. Alongside the Philippine Iron Steel Institute (PISI), CMAP also renewed calls for the promotion of locally produced construction materials with the help of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), according to the Manila Bulletin newspaper.

CMAP President Reiner Dizon said “If you buy locally and if there is a problem, it's easy to chase or ask the manufacturer because it's here in the Philippines. Imagine if there is a problem with the cement but it comes from another country, it's quite a complicated process.” Dizon further stressed that enjoying local produce also benefits the economy and fellow Filipinos by creating a circular advantage where profits are shared among the community.

DTI Assistant Secretary Mary Jean Pacheco said that the DTI promotes local construction products and demonstrates confidence that local suppliers provide quality products. Pacheco assured CMAP and PISI that the DTI will strive to advocate standardised products to ensure safety and quality when using construction materials.