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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider DTI chief steps in to oversee construction industry regulator after flood control mess

DTI chief steps in to oversee construction industry regulator after flood control mess

Published Sep 3, 2025 04:14 pm
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said she is taking helm of the agency responsible for regulating the construction industry to “restore integrity and transparency” following allegations of corruption.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 5, Roque said she will place under her “direct supervision” the Construction Industry Association of the Philippines (CIAP), which she chairs.
She will also directly oversee the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), which is an implementing body of CIAP.
“Placing them under my direct supervision will ensure that order, transparency and accountability is restored within these agencies,” said Roque.
Roque said both CIAP and PCAB will undergo a “major revamp” to prevent further mismanagement and any conduct detrimental to their mandate.
“Full transparency and cooperation are mandatory, and those who breach the trust and mandate entrusted to us will be held accountable,” she added.
The head of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said earlier that she will “clean up” PCAB after it faced scrutiny for supposedly allowing contractors linked to violations to still get accreditation to build for the government.
It was also accused of extorting more than ₱2 million from contractors for license renewals.
PCAB, an attached agency of the DTI, is an accrediting body that ensures only qualified contractors operate, especially in government infrastructure projects.
Contractors, including sub-contractors and specialty contractors, are required to first secure a PCAB license to engage in the business of contracting.
Roque said that she will conduct a comprehensive investigation into allegations facing PCAB to determine potential abuses of authority.
She noted that the DTI will investigate the conduct of PCAB’s current board members and officials and afterward recommend actions to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
These recommendations also cover their potential removal, she said.
To complement the investigation, Roque said she has formed a fact-finding team to oversee the entire process, which will recommend “systemic reforms to prevent future lapses.”
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