(PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA, Philippines – Recent test-buy operations by the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) showed substandard reinforcement bars (rebars) are still flooding Mindanao.
In a news release over the weekend, PISI said it purchased random rebars from hardware stores in Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Samal Island, Cotabato City, Pagadian City, and Iligan City on Sept. 9 to 13.
Article continues after this advertisementThe test buys were conducted just a few weeks after the same problem cropped up in PISI operations in Northern Luzon.
FEATURED STORIES BUSINESS National ID gives more Filipinos ‘face value BUSINESS BIZ BUZZ: Unwinding Gogoro … quietly BUSINESS Polvoron maker seeks P500 million capital for expansionMindanao rebars failed to meet the minimum standard for weight and are prone to brittleness, according to PISI.
It added that three steel manufacturers failed to meet the minimum weight requirement while six hardware shops were found selling substandard rebars.
Article continues after this advertisement“Based on the information gathered from the test buys, the inferior rebars are enough to build more than 10,000 houses per month, putting at risk up to 30,000 people,” PISI said.
The organization said the test buys were conducted in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry to protect the public.
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