Mindanao earthquake exposes use of non-resistant rebar, steel lobby says

THE Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) needs to more strictly enforce Philippine National Standard (PNS) 49:206 for steel bars, after the Mindanao earthquake raised questions about the seismic resistance of the steel used in many of the wrecked buildings.

In a statement issued earlier this week, the PISI noted that many steel grades used in the construction industry do not meet seismic performance requirements. 

“The Philippines sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the continued permissibility of these grades in structural applications under the old standard has been a long-standing gap in our seismic resilience framework. PNS 49:2026 closes that gap,” the group said.

Developed by the Bureau of Philippine Standards’ Technical Committee 11, PNS 49:2026 aligns Philippine rebar specifications with the National Structural Code of the Philippines and international seismic design requirements.

It also eliminates low-yield, non-seismic grades that are inadequate for structures in earthquake-prone zones.

In a June 8 letter submitted to Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, PISI called for the immediate implementation of PNS 49:2026 across all national agencies and local government units (LGUs).

The DTI should also step up enforcement and monitoring to ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and contractors comply with the new grade requirements, it said.

The PISI also cited 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.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off southern Mindanao on June 8 wrecked or damaged many schools, offices, and commercial centers.

About 47 items of public infrastructure and 2,505 houses were damaged by the earthquake as of June 9, the Office of the Civil Defense reported.

“Every day we delay implementation is another day lives are at risk from buildings that were built legally but not built to withstand what this country’s geology demands,” PISI President Joel T. Ronquillo said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz