(Philippines) -- The government of Philippines may renew the executive orders (EOs) that lifted temporarily the tariffs on cement and wheat. The Eos are due to expire in early January.
EOs 818 (for milling wheat) and 819(for cement) both have a six-month validity period. They were issued to extend earlier EOs that also suspended the tariffs on cement and milling wheat for six months.
The cement tariff was lifted to pave the way for imported cement to enter the market and temper the increase in the prices of the commodity.
The government’s Committee on Tariff and Related Matters (CTRM) has started the process of reviewing EO 818 (for milling wheat) and EO 819 (for cement).
Tariff Commission Chairman Edgardo Abon said, "We will look at all the angles and we will check also the supply situation and, of course, the reconstruction and calamity," Abon told the BusinessMirror.
The Tariff Commission has set a public hearing on December 4 for the two EOs to hear the positions of all the stakeholders. The report will then be transmitted to CTRM technical team.
CTRM technical team will submit its recommendation to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board and later to Malacañang.
Abon said the recommendation of the CTRM needs to be submitted to Malacañang before January.
By: Rashmi Kalia (ARI-C NEWS)
Source: http://www.cementchina.net/news/shownews.asp?id=6511