The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) has cautioned consumers against substandard reinforcement bars (rebars) in North Luzon.
In a statement over the weekend, PISI said 13 out of 33 samples it bought in Luzon provinces were found to not conform to the domestic standard.
The samples were bought from 16 hardware stores 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.
"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.
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. (PNA)
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