Former senator Nikki Coseteng commended the Department of Trade and Industry for suspending the Philippine Standard licenses of six steel manufacturers for allegedly producing non-conforming steel products.
“We welcome the DTI’s efforts toward testing sub-standard steel bars that would certainly affect the “build, build, build program” of this administration and risk the lives of millions of people when the ‘Big One’ happens,” said Coseteng.
Coseteng, a leading public safety advocate, also suggested a transparency report on a regular basis, generally disclosing test results conducted on quench-tempered (QT) bars.
“Of course, the public deserves to know how these bars are being tested. Testing that includes welding, bending, threading and more importantly cyclic loading tests to determine to what earthquake magnitude it would stand,” she said.
“And I believe the public should be made aware that due diligence is being undertaken by the DTI to protect not only our safety but our lives when this so-called the Big One happens,” she added.
