manufacture and sale of substandard products after learning a new batch of unmarked rebars are being traded in Luzon provinces. In a letter dated October 26, the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute demanded the DTI to escalate its operations in seizing substandard steel bars. The group said it uncovered another bundle of rebars with unregistered logos in Ilocos Region and Central Luzon.
According to the PISI, its monitoring team bought the products in question in October from the Uniking Commercial store in La Union and Krizwood Construction Supply store in Pampanga.
Further, the PISI charged Davao Mighty Steel Corp of manufacturing steel bars that failed to comply with standards set by the government. The group said the firm’s 10-millimeter rebars passed the tests administered by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center while its 12mm variants were found lacking in weight.
PISI appealed before the DTI to investigate the matter and look into the possibility of smuggling. The proliferation of substandard rebars in the market pose risks to both the lives and property of buyers