Nearly 40% of reinforced steel bars in Luzon shops substandard

Nearly 40% of reinforced steel bars (rebars) sold in North Luzon hardware shops are substandard and do not meet the industry standard for quality.

The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) said 13 out of 33 samples it bought in Luzon provinces were found to be non-conforming with the domestic standard. The group cautioned consumers against buying substandard rebars.

"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.

The samples were bought from 16 hardware in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya.

PISI said the 13 samples were tested at the Cavite Bureau of Philippine Standards laboratory to check if they meet the minimum standard requirements for mass variation and elongation.

PISI said Phil Sanjia Steel Corp., Chuangxing Steel, Phil Koktai Metal, Wanchiong Steel Corp., and Teewee Steel Corp. produced the substandard rebars.

Magsajo added that PISI has provided DTI with the needed information and technical know-how to support their initiative to enforce, confiscate, and recall the products of all non-conforming and substandard steel products.