Government urged: Assess buildings for structural integrity

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Nikki Coseteng has urged the government to assess the structural integrity of high-rise buildings in Metro Manila amid the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck parts of Luzon last month.

Coseteng reiterated her concern over the use of quench-tempered (QT) steel bars, saying developers and contractors may not be aware that they used materials that have restrictions.

“The last thing I want to happen is to see my grandchildren and daughter die because the steel bars might be one of those that are quenched tempered,” she said.

“The welders, engineers or contractors might not be aware of the prohibitions on quenched tempered steel,” she added.

Coseteng cited the National Structural Code of the Philippines, which noted that welding, galvanizing, hot bending or threading of QT steel bars may adversely affect its mechanical properties.

Last year, the Bureau of Philippine Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said there was no factual or technical basis to support the allegation that QT steel is not safe for high rise construction.

Coseteng, however, said the DTI and steel industry have yet to release actual results of the tests conducted on QT steel bars since these were introduced to the market.