The government is widening its investigation into the use of substandard construction materials amid concerns that the practice may be more extensive than initially believed and could compromise the structural integrity of buildings.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Sunday that available records indicate the proliferation of substandard materials dates back to 2018, raising concerns over how many structures may have been built using products that failed to meet required specifications.
“Meron pa siguro tayo mga makikita dahil tuluy-tuloy ang paghahanap natin. Noong una, akala namin iilan lang. Tapos habang tumatagal ang investigation baka mas mayroon pa pala,” Marcos said during a media briefing following his attendance at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.
He said authorities are determining the scale of the operations and examining structures that may have used substandard materials.
“Dahil sa tagal na nilang nandiyan, siguro ‘yung natayo nila madami-dami na,” Marcos said.
The President said authorities are also looking into suspicions that substandard materials may have been used in buildings that later collapsed, even when contractors believed they had complied with construction specifications.
“If you cannot trust your building materials, you cannot trust the building,” Marcos said.
The investigation extends beyond steel bars and includes weaknesses in inspection and quality-control systems. Marcos said contractors may follow prescribed specifications, but lapses could occur before construction materials reach project sites.
He said steel bars leaving factories should undergo rigorous inspection, underscoring the need to strengthen enforcement and quality-control mechanisms to prevent substandard materials from entering the construction supply chain.
