MANILA - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Tuesday it withdrew the certification of 20,000 metric tons of imported Chinese steel bars.

DTI said the import commodity clearance issued to Manage Resources Trading Corporation was recalled "to ensure that the shipment meets the required laws, rules and standards required for traceability, quality, and safety."

The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute welcomed the trade department's decision to recall the import’s certification, saying the act of withdrawal was “in the interest of public safety."

“The Philippines is located in an earthquake zone and typhoon area, so the best disaster prevention is to prevent sub-standard mandatory steel products from being sold in the market," Philippine Iron and Steel Institute president Roberto Cola said.

Investigations by Philippine Iron and Steel Institute on the October 2013 earthquake in Cebu and Bohol revealed substandard and uncertified steel bars were used in the damaged buildings and infrastructure, DTI said.