The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have intensified their campaign against unsafe construction materials, seizing more than P3.5 million worth of substandard steel from various parts of Luzon since the beginning of the year. The crackdown, led by DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), stemmed from reports shared with the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI).
According to PISI, over 23,000 pieces of deformed rebars were pulled from the market during sweeping inspections across Central Luzon and Calabarzon. These were traced to more than 200 different sellers scattered across provinces including Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal.
Unsafe Steel Found in Multiple Provinces
Authorities discovered that many of the seized items failed even the minimum requirements for building use. Several rebars did not meet the needed mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation, critical factors that determine whether steel can withstand stress and load. Inspectors also noted that numerous products lacked proper manufacturer markings, making their origin unverifiable.
Regulators warn that this kind of steel poses a major safety hazard. Substandard materials can bend, warp, or snap under pressure, raising the risk of structural collapse in homes, commercial buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure. The dangers grow even more severe during earthquakes, strong winds, or heavy day-to-day usage.
Legal Action and Industry Support
FTEB acting director Marimel Porciuncula, in a letter addressed to PISI president Ronald Magsajo, confirmed that the bureau is preparing formal charges against two businesses, Flores Commercial, and Wan Chiong Steel, for selling non-compliant rebars.
Laboratory tests were carried out on the confiscated materials to determine whether they conformed with national standards, ultimately leading to the legal action.
“We continue to support the government’s drive to ensure public safety by removing substandard steel from the market and penalize retailers and manufacturers found to be non-compliant with Fair Trade Laws,” he said.
Steel manufacturers, through PISI, continue to express strong support for the government’s campaign. Magsajo emphasized the industry’s commitment to keeping unsafe products off the market, noting that responsible players welcome strict enforcement.
