CA decision on GI sheets case hailed

"The decision of the Court of Appeals restoring the power of the Bureau of Standards and the Department of Trade and Industry to supervise the manufacturers of the local roofing industry is a big victory for the Filipino consumer."

Thus declared Pen Power for Democracy & Good Governance (PDGG) through its spokesman Ernie P. Jimenez upon learning of the appellate court’s decision.

Earlier, Judge Rosmari Carandang of Branch 12 of the Regional Trial Court of Manila issued an order stopping the BPS from enforcing PNS 67 as amended as a mandatory standard for pure zinc coated GI sheets.

"Filipino families with existing housing loans with the Unified Housing Loan Program (UHLP) will be the main beneficiaries of this decision as they can now be assured that henceforth the roofing materials they buy are of standard quality," Jimenez said.

He noted that housing applicants under the UHLP have been failing to pay their monthly amortizations because their meager funds are funneled into expensive house repairs caused by substandard GI sheets that easily rut and leak.

On the other hand, BPS Director Jesus Motoomull assured users of locally-made GI sheets that his office will continue to monitor all galvanized roofing products and enforce product standards on all construction-related materials, a top priority program of DTI Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. and DTI Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

The case arose when four steel firms (three withdrew later) filed a petition questioning the validity and constitutionality of PNS 67 as amended and other implementing rules and regulations on the BPS.

The petitioner asked for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction while the case is pending to stop BPS from "conducting market sampling and confiscating roofing materials manufactured by petitioner."

Following a summary hearing, Carandang granted the appeal for a temporary restraining order and then turned down an appeal for reconsideration filed by BPS and DTI. Instead Carandang issued a writ of preliminary injunction.

BPS and DTI then elevated the case to the Court of Appeals which reversed Carandang’s decision and issued a temporary restraining order and enjoined Carandang and the petitioner from enforcing the RTC resolution dated Feb. 12, 2001 and the order dated Oct. 15, 2001…"