THE Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) said that substandard steel rebars, or reinforcing bars, were found in various provinces in northern Luzon in random test purchases.

Tests conducted by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) Testing Laboratory in Cavite on 16 hardware stores showed that 13 out of 33 samples failed to meet Philippine National Standards for mass variation and elongation, according to PISI.

"Public safety is a major issue here. PISI is coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer/Regional Operations Group and various government agencies to address this problem," PISI President Ronald Magsajo said in a statement.

PISI provides DTI with the information and technical knowledge to support initiatives to confiscate or recall non-conforming and substandard steel products, Magsajo added.

The steel rebars tested were from Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya. These were produced by Phil Sanjia Steel Corp., Chuangxing Steel, Phil Koktai Metal, Wanchiong Steel Corp. and Teewee Steel Corp.

In the first quarter of 2024, the DTI's Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau seized over P2.4 million worth of non-compliant steel products in several enforcement operations. These included 7,723 units of uncertified steel products after inspecting hardware stores in Calabarzon (Region 4A) on February 27 and March 21, as well as in the National Capital Region on April 8.

The DTI continues to enforce its nationwide campaign against the selling of non-compliant and uncertified products, including substandard construction materials, through Task Force Kalasag.

The government agency also enforces technical regulations mandating compliance with Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes in accordance with Department Administrative Order 02, Series of 2007, as well as the Consumer Act of the Philippines.