Testing Reveals a Widespread Crisis
In a stern warning to the construction sector and government regulators, two of the Philippines' largest steel watchdogs—PISI (Philippine Iron and Steel Institute) and SASSMAPI (Steel and Stainless Steel Marketing Association of the Philippines Inc.)—have sounded the alarm over the growing prevalence of substandard steel products in local markets. Following meticulous test-buy operations conducted from January to March 2025, both groups uncovered deeply troubling patterns of non-compliance with national steel standards.
Tests were conducted in DTI-accredited laboratories, ensuring objectivity. Products such as steel reinforcing bars (PNS 49) and angle bars (PNS 657) were randomly purchased from hardware stores in Central & Northern Luzon, Western Visayas, Cebu, Cavite, and Mindanao. Many of the samples failed to meet the basic mass variation (MV) requirement, which ensures structural weight integrity.
Shocking Test Results from Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao
PISI’s internal report revealed that all 21 tested samples from the initial test-buys fell below the minimum mass tolerance, signaling significant underweight issues. Several samples also failed elongation (E) metrics—an essential indicator of a steel bar's ductility and seismic resilience.
A particularly disturbing discovery involved one unidentified brand that was repeatedly flagged across eight separate test sites. The brand’s reinforcing bars were chronically underweight and showed poor elongation performance, a deadly combination in a country prone to earthquakes and typhoons.
SASSMAPI’s March test-buy uncovered additional violations, especially in Cebu and Cavite, where bars were not only underweight but also failed dimensional criteria—specifically thickness and leg length of angle bars. Products from Mindanao fared worst, with MV deviations reaching up to a staggering -19.98%, far exceeding allowable tolerance margins.
A Growing Safety Hazard
Speaking candidly, PISI President Ronald Magsajo warned:
“This isn’t just a matter of compliance. It’s a public safety issue. If left unaddressed, these materials compromise the integrity of buildings and infrastructure, especially in a country highly vulnerable to earthquakes.”
His concerns echo deeply in a nation where disaster-resilient construction is not just policy—it is a necessity. The implication is grim: a significant volume of steel circulating in the market is structurally unfit for load-bearing use in homes, bridges, and high-rise buildings.
Brands Named in Silence, Market in Turmoil
Although the reports stopped short of publicly naming the failing brands, industry insiders suggest that the issue is not isolated, but rather systemic. “When violations appear across multiple regions and in different product types, we’re dealing with a network of negligence or deliberate fraud,” said a senior SASSMAPI official on condition of anonymity.
Some analysts speculate that rampant price competition, coupled with lax enforcement, has allowed inferior products to slip past inspections and proliferate in small to mid-sized hardware outlets. Cheaper, underweight bars are often preferred by contractors cutting costs—endangering future tenants unknowingly.
Call for Crackdown: Government Action Urged
In response, both PISI and SASSMAPI have jointly urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) to ramp up enforcement, conduct surprise audits, and apply the heaviest penalties available under existing laws.
PISI President Ronald Magsajo continued:
“We cannot afford leniency. This isn’t about protecting brands—it’s about protecting lives. We urge DTI and the Bureau of Product Standards to act decisively before tragedy strikes.”
Both organizations advocate for revoking licenses of repeat offenders and publicly naming violators, so contractors and engineers can avoid unsafe materials. They also stress the need to educate hardware owners and buyers on how to identify compliant steel.
What’s at Stake: Earthquake-Ready or Risk-Ready?
In a seismically active nation like the Philippines, where the "Big One" earthquake remains a constant threat in Metro Manila and other fault-line regions, the issue of substandard steel isn't technical—it’s existential. Poor-quality steel used in beams, foundations, and support columns could spell the difference between structural survival or catastrophic collapse.
The industry groups fear that without swift and transparent enforcement, substandard steel will become the “new normal” in construction, especially in low-cost housing developments where accountability is often weakest.
Key Takeaways:
• 21 steel samples across Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao failed mass variation and elongation standards.
• Some bars showed -19.98% deviation in weight, well below safety tolerances.
• Violations included poor ductility, underweight steel, and incorrect dimensions.
• Brands failed tests in at least eight test-buy sites, hinting at systemic quality issues.
• PISI & SASSMAPI demand urgent action from DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB).
• Public safety concerns heightened due to Philippines’ seismic vulnerability.
• Watchdogs urge maximum penalties, public naming of violators, and market-wide inspections.
