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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Consumer group protests against cement price hike outside DTI office in Makati

Consumer group protests against cement price hike outside DTI office in Makati

Published Oct 14, 2025 03:15 pm
Members of the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) stage a protest outside the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office in Makati City on Oct. 14. (Photo by Mark Balmores/MB)
Members of the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) stage a protest outside the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office in Makati City on Oct. 14. (Photo by Mark Balmores/MB)
A consumer rights group staged a protest outside the office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Makati City on Tuesday, Oct. 14, demanding for a P16 rollback in the price of cement.
During their demonstration, the members of United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) said they are opposing the DTI's Department Administrative Order (DAO) 25-01 which imposes a provisional safeguard duty of P400 per metric ton or P16 pesos per 40-kilo bag of imported cement.
The agency said the tariff increase is a provisional safeguard measure intended to protect the domestic cement industry due to increasing cement imports.
It explained that the surge in cement imports has resulted in declining market share, reduced production, lower profitability, and job losses for local manufacturers.
The DTI noted that the share of imports to domestic production increased from 30 percent in 2019 to 51 percent in early 2024.
UFCC said this move will enable companies to increase cement prices, which could become a burden to consumers due to the tariff's domino effect wherein the price increase of cement will also result in the price increase of other construction materials.
According to UFCC President Rodolfo Javellana Jr., the group had already sent two letters to DTI Sec. Cristina Roque explaining why they are against the order.
Meanwhile, the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) explained that the DTI's order would not lead to higher costs of construction materials.
Instead, the additional tariff would allow local cement manufacturers to compete against foreign companies and importers.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Philippine Industries also aired their support for the tariff increase.

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Cement tariff dti ufcc metro news makati city
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