The Philippine iron and steel industry is pressing regulators to fast-track the implementation of tougher construction standards, arguing that recent tragedies have underscored the urgent need for earthquake-resistant building materials in one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.
The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) has called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to immediately enforce the newly approved Philippine National Standard (PNS) 49:2026, which updates specifications for reinforcing steel bars used in concrete structures and removes steel grades deemed inadequate for seismic applications.
The appeal comes amid heightened scrutiny of construction safety following the collapse of a nine-story mixed-use building under construction in Angeles City, Pampanga on May 24, which claimed at least 17 lives.
The call gained further urgency after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off Sarangani on June 8, shaking large parts of Mindanao and causing damage to buildings and infrastructure.
PISI said the revised standard aligns local requirements with the National Structural Code of the Philippines and internationally recognized seismic design standards, ensuring that steel reinforcement used in buildings is capable of withstanding major earthquakes.
“Every earthquake is a structural audit. Non-seismic grades are the wrong material for a building in a seismic zone. Every day we delay implementation is another day Filipino lives are at risk,” PISI President Joel T. Ronquillo said.
The industry group warned that allowing outdated non-seismic steel grades to remain in circulation could undermine efforts to improve building resilience, particularly as rapid urban development continues across the country.
In a letter to Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, PISI urged the DTI to mandate immediate compliance with PNS 49:2026, strengthen inspection and enforcement mechanisms across the steel supply chain, and work closely with manufacturers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.
The group also offered technical assistance to support implementation and industry education efforts.
The push reflects growing recognition that infrastructure resilience is becoming an increasingly important economic and public safety issue. As climate-related disasters and seismic risks continue to threaten communities, stricter construction standards are increasingly viewed not just as regulatory requirements but as critical investments in risk reduction.
For the steel industry, the message is clear: stronger buildings begin with stronger materials, and delays in adopting modern seismic standards could carry far higher costs than the adjustments required to comply with them.
