The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) expressed support for the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 11981 or the Tatak Pinoy Law.
“We are confident this will lead to bigger investments, more jobs in our communities, increased tax contributions to the government and the development of more sustainable products,” said CeMAP president Reinier Dizon in a statement.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enacted the law in February 2024. The IRR was signed on May 22, 2024.
The Tatak Pinoy Law aims to boost innovation to make industries more competitive globally.
Dizon said the enactment of the law shows strong political will and genuine commitment towards Philippine economic progress through support for domestic industries and Filipino workers.
“There’s more than enough domestic capacity to meet the market’s needs. With a capacity close to 50 million tons, there’s actually a significant surplus, ensuring stable and reliable cement supply for both government and private sector projects,” Dizon said.
Local integrated manufacturing companies include Eagle Cement Corp. and Northern Cement (San Miguel Group), Republic Cement & Building Materials, Holcim Philippines Inc., Cemex Holdings Philippines (Solid Cement & Apo Cement), Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Goodfound Cement Corp. and Century Peak Cement.
Domestic capacity is expected to increase by 5 million tons, including 3 million from Taiheiyo and 2 million from the Cemex Rizal cement plant in 2024.
The raw materials for these companies are sourced locally and converted into finished goods within the Philippines.
Total cement imports reached nearly 7 million metric tons in 2023, despite the anti-dumping duty imposed on several Vietnamese manufacturers and traders.
CeMAP said that despite this overcapacity situation, the Philippines remains battered by imports from Vietnam.
“With the passing of the Tatak Pinoy Law and its IRR, the Philippine cement industry looks forward to a more stable and robust local cement market that prioritizes bonafide products from Philippine manufacturers,” said Dizon.
