The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has dismissed the petition for the extension of general safeguard measure on cement, citing there is no threat of injury to the industry.
The DTI in Department Administrative Order No. 22-14 Series of 2022 dated Oct. 24, 2022 and posted on its website on November 9, also said the definitive safeguard measure imposed on the commodity the past three years shall have expired last October 22.
In dismissing the petition, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual cited the recommendation of the Tariff Commission (TC) not to extend the imposition of the definitive general safeguard measure on importations of Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 (classified under AHTN 2017/2022 Code 2523.29.90) and Blended Cement Type 1P (classified under AHTN 2017/2022 Code 2523.90.00
Pascual said TC in its formal investigation report concluded that the production output of the petitioner representing the domestic industry constituted a major proportion of the total domestic production of cement thus satisfies the requirement under the Safeguard Measures Act.
The TC also noted the domestic cement industry has undertaken, and continues to undertake considerable efforts to comply with its adjustment plans and is thus making positive adjustment to import competition.
“During the period under review (2019-2021), the domestic industry maintained its market standing, increased its mill capacities, stabilized its manufacturing costs, and improved its profitability,” Pascual said citing the TC report.
The TC further noted that during the period under review, there was no significant overall impairment in the position of the domestic cement industry that constituted serious injury and that there is no existence of an imminent threat of serious injury and significant overall impairment to the position of the domestic cement industry in the near future. – Irma Isip
