Demand for cement has dampened slightly due to the lack of new infrastructure projects as well as the slight downturn in the construction industry, the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines. Renato C. Sunico, group chairman, said demand for cement is down by about five per cent YoY. "Also, the capacity utilisation of cement firms is down slightly from last year’s 60 per cent to about 50 to 55 per cent," Mr. Sunico said. Among the priority infrastructure projects which the government has been eyeing for implementation, only a few has started civil works.