The country’s leading umbrella group of domestic manufacturers and producers is urging the government to strictly implement the Philippine National Standards (PNS) on building materials used in public infrastructure projects.

The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) issued the statement following revelations that a number of flood control projects in the country, which are reportedly mired with corruption, are built with substandard materials.

The FPI called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to monitor the cement and steel used in these projects, alongside other public infrastructure, to evaluate if they are compliant under the PNS.

FPI Chairperson Elizabeth Lee said the government must ensure that every component in an infrastructure project adhere to the PNS, pointing out that this is “non-negotiable.”

“Only by strictly following these standards—especially in cement and steel—can we ensure safe, durable, and resilient public infrastructure for our people,” said Lee.

According to the FPI, the PNS are the government’s measure to ensure that products follow global standards and are customized to the country’s unique environmental and geological conditions.

“At its core, PNS is about safety and resilience—ensuring that structures, especially those built with cement and steel, can withstand the country’s harsh climate conditions,” the group said.

In a country prone to disasters such as typhoons, and floods, the FPI emphasized that it is critical that DPWH engineers and contractors involved in government projects consistently comply with PNS.

“The use of substandard materials—whether in cement, steel, or other critical construction inputs—compromises public safety, wastes resources, and undermines confidence in national development efforts,” it said.

In a statement last month, the FPI flagged the reports of undocumented projects, identical contract amounts, and the use of substandard works in flood control projects.

The group said these are not just signs of corruption, but also threats to public safety, industry operations, and national resilience.

It likewise demand swift investigation on the matter to ensure transparency and accountability in every anomalous flood control projects.

The FPI said it is eager to collaborate with every government agency, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS), to uphold the proper standards in construction materials.

“Together, we must guarantee that our public infrastructure projects are built on quality, integrity, and accountability—laying the foundation for sustainable nation-building and long-term growth,” it said.