No shortage of construction workers – CIAP
There is no shortage in the manpower supply for the construction industry, but there is a pressing need to upgrade the skillsets of workers, the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) said.
“There cannot be shortage in manpower while 5.7% of our population is unemployed. What needs to be done is to strengthen PH construction capabilities and upgrade skillsets,” said Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business Atty. Ruth B. Castelo at the recent 3rd CIAP dialogue with the construction industry key players.
DTI-CIAP dialogue was held to update and resolve issues, particularly on manpower development and employment of some 2.716 million unemployed Filipinos.
Other updates that were discussed were new pronouncements on the provisions for tax clearance as part of bidding requirements, DPWH Civil Works Registry, hotline for contractor complaints, simplified procurement process in infrastructure building, 2017 investment priority plans, flagship projects and the PCAB accreditation of contractors that needs to be recognized by the infrastructure agencies.
The dialogue also provided the platform for all industry sectors to exchange notes and express intent to ramp up the infrastructure agenda in the Golden Age of Infrastructure; and to encourage higher participation among contractors.
According to the Undersecretary, the dialogues are conducted to address the issues and concerns of both our local contractors and the government agencies involved in the Golden Age of Infrastructure in order to prepare the construction industry to handle major infrastructure projects.
The issue of manpower in the construction industry was timely following statement by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno of the possibility of hiring Chinese construction workers for some of the infrastructure projects being funded by China.
Participating in the dialogues were representatives from Philippine Contractors Association (PCA), National Constructors Association of the Philippines, Inc. (NACAP), Philippine Society of Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigerating Engineers (PSVARE), Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), and the Chairmen of the different Implementing Boards of CIAP.
DPWH Representatives Romualdo Gulinao and Edmar Delgado did a presentation on the Civil Works Registry (CWR). Its objective is to provide easier submission of technical and financial documents via the Internet. Contractors belonging in the registry need not to submit voluminous documents when participating in projects.
They will also know the results of their eligibility evaluation immediately. However, DPWH clarified that the CWR is not a requirement for contractors to join the bidding.
To address certain issues on procurement, specifically on the Single Largest Contract Cost (SLCC) and construction manpower, Construction Manpower Development Foundation Board Chairman Augusto Manalo suggested to re-activate the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) comprised of the different implementing agencies to harmonize its inter-agency classification requirements in prequalifying contractors vis-à-vis PCAB registration.
“The Clark International Airport Project is now up for bidding until Aug. 10. This is a great time for our contractors to demonstrate their capabilities to build sturdy infrastructure facilities,” said BCDA Representative Jovito Sunga. DPWH and DOTr recently announced that there are other PPP projects ready for roll-out.
CIAP is the central authority of the construction industry mandated to promote, accelerate, and regulate growth and development of the construction industry in conformity with the national goals.