DTI queried on entry of China cement imports

Questions were being raised over the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) decision to allow into the country the initial shipment of cement imported from China despite the absence of an official document that would show compliance of the shipment to local quality and safety standards.

Ordered released from Bureau of Customs (BoC) custody were some 10,000 bags of Portland cement from China.

The cement from China was the first shipment since the lifting of the three percent duty on the product last November.

It arrived last April 2, while another batch was shipped in April 7.

Both of the shipments were under the name of importer and construction firm Topway Builders Inc. which was initially held for inspection by the BoC.

When Customs allowed a conditional release of the shipment, the DTI ordered the importer to keep the cement at their storage facility located in E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue corner Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City.

From Custom’s custody, it was not known whether the Chinese cement were cleared for sampling and testing by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS).

Traders have questioned the DTI’s decision to allow the cement packed in 50-kilogram bags to enter the country while under the law, cement should be uniformly packaged in 40-kilogram bags.

An official document would also show that the DTI has gave an instruction not to transfer the product in whole or in part pending issuance of the product Import Commodity Clearance from the BPS and that the product shall be for the internal use of Topway.

Topway is into various types of construction projects including commercial and residential property projects.

BPS director-in-charge Victoriano Mario Dimagiba, however, who is in charge of quality standards on cement, could not be reached for comment why the DTI allowed the 50-kilogram bag and whether it has already passed testing for quality and safety standards.

Dimagiba, however, issued a note saying the product should not be released without his authority.

He eventually allowed the conditional release of the said importation. –Ayen Infante, Daily Tribune