A global partner in building nations by 2030
By Genivi Verdejo | The Manila Times | November 29, 2021
THROUGH the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) with its cornerstone the Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap (PCIR) 2020-2030, the Philippines aims to become a global partner by 2030 through the implementation of the board’s programs.
At the helm of this ambitious but sustainable vision is Depatment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Noel Patrick Prudente, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte on September 4, 2020.
Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez designated Prudente as the supervising assistant secretary for the CIAP and chairperson of the Steering Committee of the Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap 2020-2030, which was crafted by public and private stakeholders in 2019, aimed at revitalizing and modernizing the Philippine construction industry to become a global partner in building nations by 2030.
“It envisions a modern, efficient, forward-looking and globally competitive construction industry based on two core values – Tatag at Tapat, which is the proof of the collective commitment and efforts in ensuring that all the undertakings are geared toward the vision of 2030 and to the best interest of the public,” Prudente said.
CIAP leveraged its network and invoked the support of its partners, for House Bill 8151, or the “Proposed 30-year National Infrastructure Program Act of 2021,” authored by Representative Romeo Momo Sr.
The “30 Year National Infrastructure Program Act of 2021” seeks to provide a framework for infrastructure development in the next 30 years and ensure resource allocation and continuity in the development and implementation of infrastructure projects despite changes in leadership. It is one of the action plans under the construction industry roadmap.
The House Committee on Public Works and Highways issued Committee Report No. 1274, recommending the approval of HB 10319 as Substitute Bill for HB 8151, on Sep. 29, 2021. Plenary deliberation on HB 10319 was tentatively scheduled in November. The counterpart bill filed in the Senate is SB No. 2122.
Digitization and modernization
With the help of the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) developed an online portal for the filing of all types of applications for contractors licensing and registration. The digital platform enables the delivery of services.
Meanwhile, the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC) has been conducting virtual hearings/meetings to fast-track the resolution of arbitration cases. Currently, there are 36 Filipino contractors and service providers in the country.
The Philippine Domestic Construction Board (PDCB) supported by USAid and Research Education and Institutional Development (REID), conducted a construction industry policy dialogue series. It has built-in conversations in line with the action policy reform advocacy action plan of the roadmap. It held webinars on sustainability and resiliency in construction; construction and infrastructure modernization; conversations on construction series, titled CREATE and Construct, which discusses fiscal incentives under the CREATE Law: Implications for the Construction Industry.
The Philippine Overseas Construction Board (POCB) conducted the Construction Services Export Opportunities Advocacy/information campaign on Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap Pillar on globalization. The Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF), likewise, pushed for the signing of the Government-Industry Academe (GIA) tripartite agreement. The GIA tripartite agreement concretely corresponds to the shared intention of the government, industry, and the academe in driving forward the harmonization of the human resource development (HRD) initiatives.
With this in place, better coordination among these sectors can be established in successfully co-creating policies and detailed action plans for the construction workforce. The agreement also delineates the primary and shared responsibilities among the sectors, and institutions involved.
Prudente said the Philippines can attract foreign investments if investors are assured that the processes are seamless, fast and there is ease of doing business. He said they have constant consultation with stakeholders and have already talked to 20 construction companies, both big and small. Prices of materials need to be competitive as these are going up due to high logistics costs.
Prior to his appointment to the DTI, Prudente was the deputy commissioner at the Bureau of Customs in charge of the management information technology group and vice chairman of the World Bank Customs Modernization Project.
He was also a member of the governing board of the Philippine National Railways and the Silang Water
District. He is the director of the board of the China Philippines United, head of the corporate affairs and business development and transportation and mass communication departments.
Source: The Manila Times