PISI intensifies traction against substandard rebar

The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) will intensify its campaign against substandard and unmarked reinforced steel bars (bars) after finding a new batch of suspect bars in Central Luzon.

PISI Vice President of Technical Affairs Joel Ronquillo informed the Department of Commerce and Industry that substandard rebar had been found in hardware stores in Central Luzon.

Unmarked rebar was also found along with rebar embossed with unregistered logos. PISI President Ronald Magsajo said PISI took the latest samples and sent them to the Philippines Bureau of Standards, which sent them for analysis to the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC).

According to MIRDC’s findings, the sample dowel heights and mass variation did not meet what the DTI requires to ensure the integrity of the rebar for use in construction.

The construction market has contracted considerably, leading to cutthroat competition that manufacturers of substandard steel products are exploiting. “Some manufacturers and traders are taking advantage of quarantine restrictions and taking shortcuts that will ultimately harm the end user,” Magsajo said.