Government needs more contractors for 2016 infra projects

The Department of Public Works and Highways will need more qualified and well equipped contractors to implement public infrastructure projects in 2016 following the increase in DPWH’s infrastructure budget by 30 percent. 

By next year, the DPWH is set to spend P357 billion worth of projects in the 2016 for public infrastructure development. an increase by 30 percent or P84 billion more from the P273.9-billion budget in 2015.

The construction industry has a very bright future in the country particularly those contractors with licenses from the Philippine Contractor’s Accreditation Board (PCAB.)

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said this is part of the government’s determined efforts to further boost the infrastructure investment. in the country.

However, he explained that the prospective contractors have to conform to project’s equipment resources, financial and expertise requirements, technical personnel and to demonstrate competence in terms of ability to participate in competitive public bidding.

Republic Act 4566 otherwise known as the Contractor’s License Law as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1746 provides that no contractor (including sub-contractor and specialty contractor) shall engage in the business of contracting without first having secured a PCAB license to conduct business.

Although a regular license will automatically qualify the licensee to participate in private projects, a contractor will have to apply for registration with the DPWH Civil Works Registry of Contractors.

Under next year’s proposed infrastructure spending plan, Northern Mindanao (Region 10) will receive the biggest slice of the budget with P30.14 billion, followed by Central Luzon (Region 3), P25.21 billion; Southern Tagalog (Region 4-A), P21.28 billion; Eastern Visayas (Region 8), P20.68 billion; National Capital Region, P19.7 billion; Bicol Region (Region 5), P19.65 billion; Southern Mindanao (Region 11), P18.96 billion; Western Mindanao (Region 9), P18.59 billion; Western Visayas (Region 6), P17.84 billion; CARAGA (Region 13), P16.99 billion; Central Visayas (Region 7), P16.96 billion; MIMAROPA (Region 4-B), P16.40 billion; Ilocos Region (Region 1), P14.97 billion; Central Mindanao (Region 12), P12.64 billion; Cagayan Valley (Region 2), P12.41 billion; and Cordillera Administrative Region, P12.36 billion.

An additional amount of P64 billion is also allotted for inter-regional and other nationwide projects.

DPWH has combined budgets of P427.5 Billion from fiscal years 2006 to 2010 and P799.35 Billion from calendar years 2011 to fiscal years 2015.