President Marcos is a genius! Like a super genius in the mold of Wile E. Coyote. He has come up with one of the most brilliant ideas ever as pertains to the Philippines' construction industry. That idea is: implement the law concerning construction standards. However, for some reason only the most big-brained could ever understand he made this pronouncement while on a state trip to India.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2304281/marcos-orders-stricter-implementation-of-construction-standards |
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies and local officials to tighten enforcement of construction and building standards as the administration pushes to make the country’s infrastructure more resilient to earthquakes, floods and other disasters.
In a briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Palace press officer Claire Castro said Marcos directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure that quality standards are strictly followed in the construction of buildings and other infrastructure, particularly those expected to withstand extreme weather.
The directive came after Marcos agreed to the recommendations of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) on stronger measures on structural resilience, including stricter standards for construction materials and a proposed Building Resilience Seal for structures that meet earthquake-resilience requirements.
Castro also cited the government’s case against Davao Mighty Steel Corp., which the National Bureau of Investigation referred to the Department of Justice last month.
Authorities allegedly discovered that the Davao City-based steel manufacturer had been using radioactive bearing materials in its operations and had produced substandard steel bars that had already reached the market.
Castro said the use of substandard materials could compromise the strength of infrastructure and potentially lead to accidents and deaths.
“The President is serious about the government’s programs aimed at ensuring the safety of the people,” she added.
Malacañang directed local government units not to allow businesses that fail to meet safety and quality requirements to operate in their jurisdictions.
“These kinds of investors have already been banned in other countries, yet we allow them to enrich themselves here in the Philippines while Filipinos are the ones who become victims,” Castro said.
She also warned contractors against using cheaper construction materials that could damage their reputation and integrity.
During its eighth Infrastructure Sector meeting with Marcos on Sept. 9, PSAC called for faster and more coordinated measures to protect communities from earthquakes, flooding and water shortages.
The council recommended the full implementation of Philippine National Standard (PNS) 49:2026, the updated standards framework for steel bars used in concrete reinforcement.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) approved the new steel standards in May, but it remains unenforceable pending the issuance of the technical regulation.
The order mandating the enforcement of PNS 49:2026 was set to be issued in August.
PSAC also called for stronger standards for earthquake-resistant reinforcing steel and tighter inspections of imported cement.
It also proposed a Building Resilience Seal for homes and buildings that have been inspected and found to meet earthquake-resilience standards.
PSAC cited the destruction by the DTI of 12,500 metric tons of imported cement in April after the material failed key strength and durability tests.
The council said construction materials should undergo required testing before they reach the market.
It's just so crazy and mind blowing. Who would ever have thought that the law should be enforced!? Did he get this idea because he saw the shoddy buildings in India? He could have just taken a trip from Malacañang to any shanty town in Manila to see that kind construction.
But all kidding aside it is a fact that the Philippines is plagued with substandard steel, concrete, and other construction materials. The law has always been there but lax enforcement has resulted in the ticking time bomb that is all around in the Philippines. One natural disaster and it's all over.
Perhaps in conjunction with this proclamation President Marcos will also see to it that OSHA laws are enforced. It's an awful sight to witness construction workers wearing flip flops and shorts instead of boots and pants.
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