Hearing on proposed amendments to RA 4566 set Feb. 5

THE Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) is set to conduct a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 4566 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on February 5.

RA 4566 is an act creating the Philippine licensing board for contractors, prescribing its powers, duties and functions, providing funds therefore, and for other purposes.

In the said public hearing, among the major amendments to be tackled will be "the Regular License shall be reserved for and issued only to constructor-firms of Filipino sole proprietorship, or partnership/corporation with at least 60 percent (from the previous 70 percent) Filipino equity participation and duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Philippines."

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Davao Director Region Marizon Loreto said this is an opportunity for the region’s construction industry stakeholders to share their thoughts on the proposed amendments, whether it is beneficial or not.

"We have to hear their views on the proposed amendments so that PCAB, which is an attached agency of DTI, can do the necessary steps following thereafter," she said.

Apart from the contractors, the one-day consultation is also expected to gather participants from the local government units, national government agencies, academe, and various associations related to the construction industry.

Loreto encouraged those interested stakeholders to contact Ms. Lani T. Catalan of PCAB-Davao at (082) 224-0511 local 417 for additional information about the one-day gathering.