The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and cement manufacturers have assured enough supply of construction materials, particularly cement, for the rehabilitation of conflict-ravaged Marawi City.
Emerging from a National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) meeting on Thursday, Trade Secretary and NPCC Head Ramon M. Lopez told reporters they’re building up an inventory of construction materials for the rehabilitation of the Lanao del Sur city.
“We’re talking to construction- materials suppliers to create buffer stocks in the area, and assuring also that these products are compliant. We’re talking to producers of materials, such as cement, steel and roofing materials. That’s what we’re looking now, for preparation in rebuilding and rehabilitation,” Lopez said.
Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (Cemap) President Ernesto M. Ordonez said his group is capable of producing 30 million tons of cement, but with the national requirement to picking up in the next few years, and Marawi City needing immediate rehabilitation, they may need to import more.
“We’re geared for Marawi and we’ll make sure we have enough supply. We’re welcoming imports,” said Ordonez, whose group is also part of the Federation of Philippine Industries.
Actual demand for cement last year was pegged at 26 million tons, and on average has increased by 6 percent yearly.
While Cemap declined to give figures on what percentage of this figure is taken up by imports, the level of imports are seen to grow by 7 percent to 8 percent in the coming years, amid the entry of new players.
According to the price monitoring data of the DTI in May, the current cement price per bag is pegged from P220 to P250 in Metro Manila.
Cemap has maintained that cement imports will ensure stable market price for the commodity.
Price-freeze extension
Lopez also said the agency is studying the situation in Mindanao if it needs for extension of price freeze once the 60-day martial law ends next month.
“With the gravity of the situation, there is a possibility. We are not yet saying yes. We’re studying that to extend the 60-day period,” Lopez said.
Lopez, noted the possible extension of price-freeze would be the same coverage for the current price freeze implementation, which is the entire Mindanao.
“Just for assurance and guarantee that these should be the prevailing prices, no fluctuating variables in terms of prices, then that’s the only reason we will probably recommend an extension,” he said.
“It will need approval from the President,” he said in Filipino.
The official noted the DTI will be looking at the legality of the extension as the 60-day automatic implementation of price freeze is a provision under the declaration of martial law, state of emergency, or state of calamity.
“We will also study the legality. If it merits the need for extension once martial law ended,” Lopez said in Filipino.
Catherine N. Pillas with PNA