The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) confiscated ₱1.6 million worth of uncertified deformed steel bars from a wholesale hardware store in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, as part of efforts to ensure construction safety and protect Filipino consumers.
A total of 12,525 steel bars were sealed inside the establishment after authorities found the products did not bear the required Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) Approved Logo, violating mandatory certification rules requiring Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Marks or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers.
The operation was led by the DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), which issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the firm, directing it to submit an explanation within 48 hours.
According to FTEB, uncertified steel bars pose serious risks to life and property, particularly when used in housing and infrastructure projects. The agency stressed that mandatory certification ensures construction materials meet safety and quality standards and prevents unsafe products from entering the market.
The enforcement action aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure only safe and compliant construction materials are available to the public.
The operation was conducted in coordination with DTI Region 3 under the agency’s E-Kalasag Project, which aims to strengthen nationwide monitoring and enforcement.
In 2025, DTI seized 98,947 pieces of uncertified deformed steel bars worth ₱24 million nationwide, in coordination with field offices, manufacturers, and industry partners, as part of a whole-of-government effort to regulate steel products and uphold fair trade laws.
