Cement makers, importers joining forces vs smuggling

Cement importers and manufacturers are setting aside their differences to work together in curbing smuggling of the commodity.

The Philippine Cement Importers Association (PCIA), a group of cement importers, said they are willing to work with cement manufacturer-importers to address the problem of cement smuggling.

“If there is truth to the claims of CEMAP (Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines) president Ernie Ordoñez, the PCIA shall join hands with them in filing the necessary criminal and administrative cases against the alleged smugglers,” said PCIA executive director Dani Enriquez.

The two groups are on opposing sides over a Department of Trade and Industry’s administrative order, which effectively tightens standards on imported However, on the issue of smuggling, Enriquez said PCIA and CEMAP can work together.

“I will request Dr. Ordoñez to provide the documents he submitted to the BOC (Bureau of Customs) so that I can help assess the violations committed by the importers if there is really proof that they smuggled cement,” Enriquez said.

He said cement smuggling, as with other smuggling, robs the government of needed revenues and destroys legitimate industry players.

“And I agree with the belief that if an importer can cheat on taxes, he can also cheat in quality or standards,” he said.

But Enriquez said the PCIA wants to see the documents first before jumping to conclusions.

“The importers have reputations to protect in the cement industry and it is not fair to make unsubstantiated accusations. I don’t think an importer will smuggle a zero-tariff and zeroduty product,” Enriquez said.

He said, the group is willing to work with the DTI to strengthen monitoring standards in the industry.

“Nonetheless, this is exactly why the PCIA is proposing to the DTI to strengthen their monitoring and enforcement of compliance with their policies and national laws to ensure consumer welfare and protection,” Enriquez said.

Addressing the complaint of some groups on alleged expired cement being sold in the market, Enriquez cited PNS 7:2005, which states that after more than six months from initial testing, cement shall be retested and rejected if it fails conformance to standards.

“Hence, there is no such thing as expired cement in reference to the said Philippine National Standard,” Enriquez said.