Reporter
The pandemic has delayed the plans of domestic cement companies to improve operations as part of their measures to compete with imports while safeguard duties are being applied.
In a public hearing held by the Tariff Commission on Friday, Cemex Holdings Philippines Enterprise Risk Manager Jose Mauro Gallardo Valdes said two out of six projects have been delayed and will be completed in 2021.
“The delays are related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
The trade department last year imposed safeguard duties on imported cement for three years to prevent injury to domestic producers. As these safeguard measures are applied, the domestic industry is required to submit to the government their plans to adjust to import competition.