Local trade office awaits advice on cement price issue, Jamaica
The Departement of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office here can not intervene on complaints regarding the high cost of cement just yet.
DTI information officer Art Tibaldo said their regional office could not implement moves to remedy the problem, as of this time, because they are still awaiting the advice of their central office on how to respond to the issue.
He said the DTI regional office has to be updated on the situation of the country’s cement industry first before making a move to address the rising complaints and calls for corrective measures to rectify the high cost of cement prices here.
"We have elevated this (concern) to the central office and we are waiting for their response as our basis in coming up with moves to solve the issue," Tibaldo said.
The agency, he said, could only intervene if there is a shortage in the supply and if there are individuals or companies that take advantage of this situation by hoarding the supply of cement.
It may be recalled that local officials have recently raised an alarm over the prevailing price of cement, claiming that the P170 retail price per bag is just too costly for the public to bear, if the actual production price of P73.95 per bag is to be considered.
Benguet Provincial Board (PB) Member Aloysius Kato said there is a need to check whatever is irregular in the sale of cement as it poses a threat to the country’s development.
Baguio City Councilor Daniel Farinas, on the other hand, has also asked Congress to conduct an inquiry regarding the problem.
Published under Cement News
