DTI recalls import clearance of Chinese steel bar importer

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has recalled the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) of Mannage Resources Trading Corp. (MRTC), an importer of Chinese steel bars into the country.

An ICC mark indicates that the product complies with the safety and quality standards issued by the Bureau of Product Standards of DTI

In a December 8 letter addressed to MRTC President Lawrence Daniel Sy, DTI Regional Director Judith P. Angeles recalled the ICC issued to MRTC on November 29, 2016.

"Upon further review of the documents relative to post shipment inspection of the subject products, DTI Regional Office 3 and the Bureau of Philippine Standards are duty bound to recall or withdraw the above-mentioned ICC to ensure that the objective of the applicable law/rules/standards on traceability, quality and safety are met," the letter read.

"Therefore, you are requested to bring the original copy of the ICC to DTI Regional Office as soon as possible," it added.

The letter was also signed by Bureau of Philippine Standards Assistant Director and Officer-in-Charge Marimel D. Porciuncula.

For its part, the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) lauded the DTI decision to recall the import's certification "in the interest of public safety."

In June, the PISI filed graft charges against two DTI officials for allegedly clearing for release P95 million worth of Chinese steel bars with the necessary permits. The MRTC was the registered importer.

PISI President Roberto Cola noted at that time the clearance given by the DTI officials resulted in "increased risk in opening the market to the entry of substandard products which endanger lives even before they are subjected to inspection and testing."

In an emailed statement on Tuesday, PISI claimed the "stricter" implementation of mandatory standards could lead to the prevention of the proliferation of substandard steel bars in the market.

"The Philippines is located in an earthquake zone and typhoon area, so the best disaster prevention is to prevent sub-standard mandatory steel products from being sold in the market," Cola said.

PISI "welcomes stricter implementation of standards to be applied to both locally manufactured and imported steel products for the benefit of the Filipino consumer," he added. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News