Industry pushes for nationwide enforcement of updated steel standards

Call includes stricter rules on earthquake-safe materials for buildings.

A push is growing for the immediate nationwide rollout of updated steel standards in the Philippines, amid concerns that older materials still widely used in construction may not be fit for earthquake conditions.

The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) is urging the Department of Trade and Industry to fully implement the Philippine National Standard for Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement (PNS 49:2026), which removes steel grades that fail seismic performance requirements. These grades, the group said, are still present in many structures being built across the country.

The call comes after a series of high-impact events that raised questions on structural safety, including the May 24 collapse of a nine-storey building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, which left at least 17 people dead.

It also follows a magnitude 7.8 earthquake off Sarangani, Mindanao, where strong shaking hit General Santos City, triggering a tsunami alert and reports of casualties and damaged structures.

PISI said the updated standard aligns with the National Structural Code and global seismic design rules, removing low-yield steel considered unsuitable for earthquake-prone areas. The group is also asking for stricter enforcement across manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors.

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