AFTER the collapse of buildings made with substandard materials, local manufacturers reminded Cebuanos to be cautious and buy only certified steel angle bars.
“Uncertified angle bars did not go through proper testing by the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product Services (DTI-BPS), so they are hazardous to life and property,” said Ma. Victoria Padilla, executive director of the Philippine Product Safety & Quality Foundation Inc (PPSQF).
Uncertified angle bars are usually imported from countries like China and are underweight, undersized and cheaper than regular steel bars, which cost P38 to P39 per piece.
In some instances, importers use fake import commodity clearance (ICC) certificates to convince buyers and hardware stores that their products went through the proper testing by the DTI-BPS.
“Majority of these imported steel bars are substandard and did not pass through testing based on our unscheduled visits to hardware stores,” said Ramon Tan, vice president for external relations of Steel Angles, Shapes and Sections Manufacturers Association in the Philippines (SASSMAPI). SASSMAPI comprises seven local manufacturers of steel bars in the country, all based in Manila.
Local manufacturers need to pass a test and obtain a logo for their steel bars, while importers need to get ICC certificates after being tested.
Under the law, importers of critical commodities, including angle bars, are required to have their products tested before they secure ICC certificates and sell in the domestic market.
“Other importers are showing their buyers logos of manufacturers accredited by the DTI-BPS. Those unsuspecting buyers are then made to believe that the imported products have been given ICC certificates, just because they were shown these logos,” Padilla said.
In buying steel angle bars, the public should check the embossed logo marking, leg length dimension and one slash sign signifying the grade of the steel angle bar, added Padilla.
PPSQF, together with SASSMAPI, conducts unscheduled check-ups in different hardware stores. Those caught selling substandard steel angle bars will be fined no less than P17,500 for the first offense. Closure awaits repeat offenders.