LKI PRESS STATEMENT 2020-037
June 17, 2020
CEMENT PRICES IN ENTIRE PHILIPPINES SHOOT
UP, LKI URGES STRICTER MONITORING FOR THE WELFARE OF THE FILIPINO CONSUMERS
In
a public statement today, consumer advocacy group Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI)
and its President Atty. Vic Dimagiba explained that we are concerned because
we saw a recent spike in cement prices, as they shot up to the dismay of many
consumers, both household and corporate. We assessed the regional prices, as
well as compared the prices of name brands versus other brands and were wary of
the rise in cement prices.
LKi
pointed out the notable spikes, saying for example, in the National Capital
Region, Holcim increased its prices this May from 225 to 250. Republic cement
increased their prices from 225 to 240. Rizal and Advance Eagle Cement also had
similar spikes in their cement prices. In the different regions, there were
also price increases seen all throughout, spread across the Philippines, by
Holcim, Advance Eagle Cement, Northern Cement, Republic Cement, Apo Cement,
Grand Premium Cement, Grand Pozzalan, Mabuhay, based on their records for their
May prices. The range of increases varied from 20 to almost 50 pesos, depending
on the area and the company, but the rise was very consistent.
President
of LKI, Atty. Dimagiba cautioned and warned that we are now only starting to
recover and adjust to the new normal brought about by the pandemic and the
community quarantines, as we are at a very early stage of recuperation. In
fact, the pandemic is here to stay and it is only a matter of how we continue
our lives and our economy despite the lurking and lingering danger of the
virus. So consumers are not yet fully equipped financially, and many have
already lost their jobs or businesses. So higher cement prices should be
monitored by the government, so as to ensure that these price levels do not go
up any higher, for the benefit and welfare of the poor consumer. Cement
companies may use the crisis as a reason to recover their profits, but now is
not the time to jack up the prices of important products like cement. Right
now, we should all be looking out for one another, especially in terms of the
well-being of the normal, average everyday consumer in the Philippines.
LKI
clarified that cement is very crucial to our economy, and to the start of new
lives for our Filipino consumers. Perhaps it would be better for government to
regulate and monitor strictly the cement prices first to limit it to a more
manageable level so people and businesses can get back on their feet first,
settle down, and reach a certain level of stability both financially and
psychologically, so they can prepare long-term plans with whatever construction
has to be done. The prices of cement will also greatly affect the progress of
our government’s Build, Build, Build plans, as it is a pillar and foundation of
any progress and development in the nation’s infrastructure… and a lower price
range will definitely help in lessening the debts of the Administration and
coming up with much more manageable budgets for government projects. The impact
of cement prices really reaches far and wide so perhaps all this should be
taken into consideration, especially that we are still in our own forms of
community quarantine.
Dimagiba
concluded by stating we hope some action can be taken, and customers can be
reassured that the prices they are paying for in cement are fair, above-board
and commensurate to what they are acquiring.