UMVA has learned that a pressing concern about the seismic resistance of steel used in construction has been raised after a devastating earthquake struck Mindanao, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of standards.
The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) is calling on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to take immediate action to enforce the new Philippine National Standard (PNS) 49:2026 for steel bars, which is crucial for ensuring that buildings can withstand earthquakes.
According to information obtained by UMVA, many steel grades currently used in the construction industry do not meet seismic performance requirements, posing a significant risk to public safety.
The new standard, developed by the Bureau of Philippine Standards’ Technical Committee 11, aligns Philippine rebar specifications with the National Structural Code of the Philippines and international seismic design requirements, effectively eliminating low-yield, non-seismic grades that are inadequate for structures in earthquake-prone zones.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that PISI has urged the DTI to immediately implement PNS 49:2026 across all national agencies and local government units (LGUs), and to step up enforcement and monitoring to ensure compliance with the new grade requirements.
The recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off southern Mindanao resulted in widespread destruction, damaging 47 items of public infrastructure and 2,505 houses, and raising concerns about the safety of buildings constructed with substandard steel.
PISI President Joel T. Ronquillo warned that every day delayed in implementing the new standard puts lives at risk from buildings that were constructed legally but not built to withstand the country's geological demands.
The institute also emphasized the need for partnerships to facilitate a smooth transition to the new standard and raise awareness among builders, engineers, and LGUs on the significance of the grade change.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the DTI's swift action is crucial in addressing the concerns raised by PISI and ensuring that the country's construction industry adheres to the highest standards of seismic resilience.
