THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assured the public that supply and price of cement in Central Luzon remains normal.

“While there was a temporary lack of supply of cement in Bulacan and Bataan in December 2018 because of the preventive maintenance of cement manufacturing plants in Bulacan, timely importation have normalized the supply and even the price of cement in the region,” DTI Regional Director Judith P. Angeles said.

Based on the latest monitoring of DTI Regional Consumer Protection Division and Provincial Offices, retail price per bag of cement ranged from P220 to P230 in Bulacan, P220 to P250 in Nueva Ecija, P227 to P240 in Bataan, P230 to P245 in Pampanga, P230 to P250 in Zambales, P240 to P255 in Tarlac, and P242 to P255 in Aurora.

“In other regions, price per bag of cement range from a low of P205 to a high of P380. The DTI is mulling a proposal to set a Suggested Retail Price for cement should there be unstable movement in retail prices,” Angeles added.

The demand for cement is expected to rise this year as the government has embarked on major infrastructure projects in the region particularly in New Clark City in Tarlac in preparation for the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. (PR)