DTI to equally test local and imported cement

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (Photo By Philippine Information Agency – Philippine Information Agency, Public Domain)

MANILA — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to apply equal testing procedures for local cement manufacturers and importers.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters that his agency has ongoing consultations with cement producers and importers to improve the current department administrative order (DAO) on cement.

“One thing is clear — to remove distinction between manufacturers and importers. Both will undergo product testing,” Lopez said in Filipino.

“What we ensure is to have product [standard] compliance for the benefit of the consumers, whether we do it pre- and post-shipments or pre-shipment only. That’s what we are studying,” he added.
Lopez said the DTI wants to apply same testing procedure for both cement importers and manufacturers to avoid dispute between the two parties.

It was noted that DTI Department Administrative Order 17-05 has created feud between importers and manufacturers since it only requires the former to get Import Commodity Clearance while  exempting manufacturers from this process.