PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure increasing penalties on errant public works contractors both in the government and private sectors.
Principally authored and sponsored by Pampanga Third District Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Republic Act (RA) 11711 aims to promote -- for the benefit of the public and private sectors and for national interest -- the orderly growth of the contracting sector and the upgrading of construction capability.
Gonzales, a civil engineer by profession, thanked the President for signing this “vital piece of legislation,” saying it will rectify existing infirmities in RA 4566 or the Contractors’ License Law.
“The purpose of this law is to ensure that only qualified and reliable contractors are allowed to undertake construction in the country. It’s been 56 years, and we need to consider inflation and rising operational costs and expenses of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board. I am grateful that President Duterte has recognized the importance of updating this measure,” Gonzales said.
Among the key provisions of the law are increase in fines for violations of the law; increase in the amount of application fees which have remained unadjusted to inflation since 1965; and amendment to the license renewal process to make it easier and more flexible.