Steel industry think tank warns vs substandard bars

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MANILA, Philippines — A trade association of local companies in the steel industry said over the weekend that substandard steel bars have been circulating in various provinces in northern Luzon, endangering the public with these products of questionable quality.

In a statement, the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (Pisi) said they found such products after conducting test buys last month in the provinces of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya.

“Public safety is a major issue here. Pisi is coordinating with DTI (Department of Trade) consumer, regional operations group, and various government agencies to address this problem,” said Ronald Magsajo, president of Pisi.

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The Pisi said it bought 33 samples from 16 hardware stores in various stores across the mentioned provinces with nearly half, or 13 samples, failing to meet the minimum standard requirements for mass variation and elongation.

The said products were tested for compliance with the DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards testing laboratory in Cavite, the group said.

The industry group said the steel products were produced by Phil Sanjia Steel Corp., Chuangxing Steel, Phil Koktai Metal, Wanchiong Steel Corp. and Teewee Steel Corp.

The Pisi said it is now coordinating closely with the DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau and the government agency’s regional branches to conduct a nationwide awareness campaign on steel standards.

Becoming widespread

Earlier in April, a high-ranking trade official said that the sale of substandard construction materials has become a widespread phenomenon and that the government is clamping down on sellers of such merchandise.

Assistant Trade Secretary Amanda Nograles of the DTI’s Consumer Affairs and Legal Services Group said the scope of the problem has spread not just in Metro Manila but also in several provinces.

Nograles noted the danger posed by using substandard construction materials, highlighting how it would impact the structural integrity of the houses that were built using them.

During the first quarter of the year, the DTI seized over P2.4 million worth of noncompliant steel products ranging from low carbon steel wires and deformed steel bars, to equal leg steel angle bars and steel wire nails.

By June, the DTI had reported that it had already confiscated P89.76 million worth of uncertified goods, which include construction materials, electrical appliances, helmets and visors, as well as automotive supplies.