ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The Department of Trade and Industry – Lanao del Norte Provincial Office has warned hardware stores in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte to refrain from selling 9mm steel bars to the consuming public, or face administrative sanctions.

This is what Consumer Protection Division Chief Ma. Lourdes S. Tiongco told owners and representatives of the said establishments in a briefing or webinar.

The briefing with the business establishments stemmed from the monitoring and surveillance report of the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) which revealed that some hardware stores throughout the country are selling 9mm steel bars to consumers. PISI conducted market test-buy operations in recent months.

In reference to the Philippine National Standard (PNS) 211:2002, Rerolled steel bars for concrete reinforcement – specification, only three sizes (nominal diameter) are indicated - 6mm, 7mm, and 8mm. On one hand, PNS 49:2002, steel bars for concrete reinforcement – specification, specified the following sizes in millimeter or mm: 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 28, 32, 36, 40, and 50.

Despite having appropriate marking/logo, selling 9mm rerolled steel bars, or any size to that effect which is not defined in the applicable PNS, is tantamount to deceptive sales act and practice and subject to an administrative fine of up to P300,000 under the Consumer Act of the Philippines or RA 7394.

Deceptive sales acts and practices include concealment, false representation, and fraudulent manipulation. Generally, when an establishment lies to a consumer or hides a material fact to entice him or her to buy, the concerned business establishment has committed a deceptive sales act. (DTI Lanao del Norte)