The Department of Trade and Industry has conducted a significant enforcement operation in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, resulting in the seizure of approximately 1.6 million pesos worth of uncertified deformed steel bars from a wholesale hardware establishment. This action underscores the government's ongoing commitment to ensuring construction material safety across the Philippines.
Massive Seizure of Non-Compliant Materials
During the coordinated raid, DTI authorities confiscated a total of 12,525 units of reinforcement bars that failed to display mandatory certification marks. These steel products lacked both the Philippine Standard Quality and Safety Mark and Import Commodity Clearance stickers, which are essential indicators of compliance with national safety regulations.
Immediate Enforcement Actions Taken
The operation was spearheaded by the DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau in collaboration with DTI Region 3 officials. Following the discovery, enforcement officers immediately issued a formal Notice of Violation to the business involved. This legal document requires the company to provide a comprehensive written explanation regarding the uncertified products within a strict 48-hour timeframe.
Critical Safety Implications
Deformed steel bars fall under mandatory certification requirements precisely because of their crucial role in construction projects. The FTEB emphasized that uncertified steel products present substantial risks to both human life and property integrity when incorporated into buildings and infrastructure. Without proper certification, there is no guarantee these materials meet the necessary strength and durability standards.
Part of Broader National Initiative
This enforcement activity represents a key component of the DTI's E-Kalasag Project, a comprehensive program designed to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms throughout the country. The initiative aims to systematically identify and remove substandard construction materials from the market before they can compromise structural safety.
Continuing Nationwide Crackdown
The recent Nueva Ecija operation follows substantial enforcement achievements from the previous year. In 2025 alone, DTI coordinated with field offices, steel manufacturers, and industry partners to seize an impressive 98,947 pieces of deformed steel bars valued at 24 million pesos nationwide. These figures demonstrate the scale of the challenge and the department's determined response to protect consumers and maintain construction quality standards across all regions of the Philippines.
