NBI, PAOCC raid Pampanga plant over substandard, radioactive steel

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) have raided a steel factory in Pampanga accused of manufacturing and distributing nationwide substandard construction materials that authorities said could pose a serious threat to public safety.

In a press briefing, PAOCC Executive Director Benjamin Acorda said four company officers were arrested during the operation in Magalang, Pampanga, on July 18.

Authorities also evacuated 347 workers and 37 Chinese nationals from what Acorda described as “hazardous industrial conditions.”

“The operation stopped the continued manufacture and nationwide distribution of construction materials that could pose a serious danger to public safety and national resilience,” Acorda said at a press briefing.

“Every Filipino has the right to expect that the materials used in our homes and public infrastructure are safe, strong, and compliant with national standards,” he added.

Acorda said authorities recovered radioactive-bearing industrial materials, contaminated production equipment, and structurally substandard steel products worth about P3 billion.

According to Acorda, independent laboratory tests showed that steel bars bearing the mark “CX” failed to meet mandatory structural quality requirements under Philippine National Standards.

Lawyer Zulikha Marie Conales of the NBI’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives and Foreign Malign Unit said the bars were found to contain “components of radiological isotopes” such as thorium and uranium.

Angeles City collapsed building

Meanwhile, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said there was a “strong indication” that some of the materials from the factory were used in the nine-story building that collapsed in Angeles City.

“There’s strong indication na kung hindi man lahat, there’s substantial presence nung mga steel bars na galing doon,” he said.

(There’s a strong indication that, if not all, a substantial portion of the steel bars came from there.)

Matibag said authorities are also looking into whether the substandard steel was used in flood control projects.

“We are, definitely. Kasi nga ‘yung test buy na ginawa namin, buong Pilipinas, so ibig sabihin na-saturate ‘yung market,” he said.

(We are, definitely. Because we conducted test buys across the Philippines, which means the market has been saturated.)

Matibag said contractors may still be held liable under the law for defects discovered within a certain period after a project’s completion.

Labor violations

Acorda also said authorities discovered labor and workplace safety violations at the steel factory.

“Kabilang dito ang wage-related violations, hindi pagbabayad ng mandatory employee benefits, kawalan ng kinakailangang occupational safety and health programs, kakulangan ng personal protective equipment, at paggamit ng unsafe machinery,” he said.

(These include wage-related violations, non-payment of mandatory employee benefits, the absence of required occupational safety and health programs, lack of personal protective equipment, and the use of unsafe machinery.)

He also stressed the presence of “radioactive-bearing materials” at the facility.

“The workers were exposed to chemical, radiological, and industrial hazards. Hindi maaaring gawing kapalit ng kabuhayan ang buhay at kalusugan ng isang manggagawa,” he said.

(The workers were exposed to chemical, radiological, and industrial hazards. A worker’s life and health must never be sacrificed for a livelihood.)

Acorda said the Department of Health (DOH) identified 10 workers with suspected occupational radiological exposure and recommended continued medical evaluation and long-term health surveillance.

Meanwhile, Acorda said the NBI recommended the filing of complaints against 12 company officers, incorporators, and stockholders, including the four arrested during the operation.

The recommended complaints involve alleged violations of Republic Act (RA) 12305 or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, RA 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, Presidential Decree No. 1586, RA 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act, and RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines. — MCG, GMA News