The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP) has asked the Trade department to reconsider its plans of giving incentives to new cement producers, saying existing cement producers could meet the projected demand for cement until 2010.

In a letter to Trade Sec. Peter B. Favila, CEMAP President Ernesto M. Ordonez said giving incentives to new cement producers under the 2006 Investments Priorities Plan will disadvantage existing producers whose capacities are underutilized.

Mr. Ordonez said industry data covering 2000 to 2005 showed construction grew only at an average of 6.4 per cent a year, compared to government’s "too optimistic" 12 per cent projection.