Strict monitoring of construction materials urged

MANILA, Philippines - Mileage Asia Corp., local producer of Cherry Lume roofing materials and Sumo GI sheet, has backed the call for the strict monitoring of construction materials following the proliferation of substandard products in the market.

 According to Elmer C. Ngo , president of Mileage Asia,  the government, especially the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) , should go all-out in its effort to remove substandard construction materials from the market as it would only shortchange the consumers.

Ngo said that those who are usually victimized are the C and D markets  or the poor, as the substandard products are priced very low. “In a sense, the poor are victimized twice should they buy the substandard products as these products do not last long, so they are forced to shell out more,”he added.

 Even hardware stores should similarly be concerned about the standards of the construction materials that they sell to protect the poor.

The business community, of late, has been deluged with complaints regarding the proliferation of substandard products, mostly smuggled items. In fact, Puyat Steel issued a call for the stricter control of imports at various customs zones due to the unabated rise of smuggled substandard products.

Ngo said that the government is doing right in stamping locally produced products with the PS sign if they meet the standard requirements. This means consumers would know that the products are of standard quality.

He said that the government should be extra vigilant in checking the construction materials that are sold in various hardwares  in the country so that the substandard goods are not sold in these outlets.

Various business groups have banded together in the last Christmas season to ensure that substandard electrical items are not carried in hardwares and other outlets. As a result, there were less fire incidents arising from substandard Xmas lights.

But Mileage Asia said that because of the huge profits that could be obtained, some unscrupulous businessmen have been passing off substandard materials as of good quality resulting in losses to the consumers , mostly the poor who can afford only the lower-priced materials.

Ngo said that because of price considerations, the C and D  market are susceptible to being sold fake or substandard items.

That is why the government should be extra vigilant too, he added.