By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.
MANILA, Philippines — A trade group representing local steelmakers has called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to immediately implement a new national standard that would bar the use of non-seismic steel grades in construction applications.
In a statement, the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (Pisi) said it had formally appealed to Trade Secretary Cristina Roque to accelerate the nationwide rollout of the updated Philippine National Standard for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement, or PNS 49:2026.
According to Pisi, the rollout of this policy has become more urgent following the collapse of a nine-story building under construction in Angeles City, Pampanga, in May, as well as the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off Sarangani earlier this week.
At least 30 people were killed in the Angeles building collapse, which remains under investigation, including possible structural defects and permit violations. On the other hand, the death toll from the Mindanao earthquake has risen to 45, with nearly 500 injured and 17 others still missing.
