Cement group to help gov't go after unscrupulous traders

Local cement makers are teaming up with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to go after traders selling overpriced cement, the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP) said in a statement. Cement prices have gone up by as much as P40 per bag since November, which the group traced to supply disruption after the "Bridge of Promise" in Batangas was damaged by typhoon Santi. Prices should start to normalize at P205 per bag in the National Capital Region (NCR) with deliveries coming from Batangas going back to 60,000 from 20,000 per day before the bridge was repaired, it added. December, usually a slow month when cement plants traditionally undergo preventive maintenance, surprisingly showed an upsurge in demand. CEMAP traced the demand pickup to the repair of structures damaged by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in Luzon, including Metro Manila, in September and October. CEMAP also said the industry had arranged for additional shipments from the Apo cement plant in Cebu and the Holcim cement plant in Lugait, Mindanao. Cement supply within the week should be more than adequate, it added. CEMAP said the cement plants had not increased their prices, and profiteering dealers and retailers should be charged. — GMANews.TV