APO Cement Corporation, a subsidiary of Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc., announced temporary suspension of its operations at the Davao terminal stating the continued influx of cement imports, particularly those coming from Vietnam, has made it increasingly difficult to continue operating due to rising costs and decreased volumes.
“Our operational costs in maintaining the Davao terminal have increased and continue to increase, while our volumes are decreasing due to the unabated entry of cement imports from Vietnam. Given these, we are constrained to suspend terminal operations in Davao,” explained Edwin Hufemia, VP for Supply Chain in a statement Monday, Oct. 3.
The Davao terminal had a dispatching capacity estimated at 25,000 bags daily.
“This suspension of our operations in the Davao terminal will allow us to continue focusing on efficiently running our plant and other terminals and warehouses in order to cope with these current challenges,” Hufemia added.
A petition for anti-dumping filed by local cement manufacturers against imported cement from Vietnam is pending before the Tariff Commission. The Department of Trade Industry (DTI) imposed provisional anti-dumping duties last year on specific cement brands imported from Vietnam after conducting a preliminary determination on anti-dumping.
Hufemia, however, stressed they remain committed to supporting the country’s development program and support the administration’s Build, Better, More infrastructure program.
He also assured the public that there will be no disruption on the supply and delivery of our cement,”
APO Cement Corporation, whose cement manufacturing plant is located in Naga City, Cebu, is one of the principal operating subsidiaries of Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc.