DTI’s cement tariff ‘counter-intuitive’

STARTING today (February 9), a “safeguard tariff” of P210 per metric ton will be imposed on imported cement as a result of a decision by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). We agree with the view expressed by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) that the tariff is “counter-intuitive” and unnecessary, and urge that it be canceled at once.

As it stands now, the tariff will be in place for at least the next 200 days, or until August 28. The Tariff Commission may extend the tariff for three to four more years, depending on the outcome of a review it is conducting; that decision is expected sometime in May.