MANILA: The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) has cautioned consumers against substandard reinforcement bars (rebars) found in North Luzon. In a statement over the weekend, PISI said 13 out 33 samples it bought in Luzon provinces were found non-conforming with the domestic standard. The samples were bought from 16 hardwares in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya. PISI said the 13 samples were tested at the Bureau of Philippine Standards laboratory in Cavite to check if they meet the minimum standard requirements for mass variation and elongation. The substandard rebars were produced by Phil Sanjia Steel Corp., Chuangxing Steel, Phil Koktai Metal, Wanchiong Steel Corp. and Teewee Steel Corp., PISI said. "Public safety is a major issue here. PISI is coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer/Regional Operations Group and various government agencies to address this problem,' PISI president Ronal d Magsajo said. Magsajo added that PISI has provided DTI the needed information and technical know-how to support their initiative to enforce, confiscate and recall the products of all non-conforming and substandard steel products. Source: Philippines News Agency