Dizon says PCAB to undergo sweeping revamp

Newly designated Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said a sweeping revamp within the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) would be conducted amid the investigation into the country's flood control projects. 

Dizon announced this during a Palace press briefing after his oath taking before President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday. 

He said he already discussed the matter with Marcos and Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque. 

''Isa sa mga gagawin po natin immediately, nakausap ko na rin po ang ating Pangulo at si Secretary Cris Roque ng DTI – magkakaroon po tayo ng sweeping, revamp sa tulong ng ating Secretary of Trade and Industry at ng Office of the President ng PCAB. Narinig po natin iyan sa mga imbestigasyon sa Senado, na-mention po iyan ni Senator Ping Lacson,'' Dizon said.

(One of the things we will immediately implement, I've already talked to the President and DTI Secretary Cris Roque regarding the matter, we will have  sweeping revamp within the PCAB through the help of the Secretary of Trade and Industry and the Office of the President. We've heard that during the Senate probe, it was mentioned by Senator Ping Lacson.) 

''Kasama rin po iyan dito sa napakalaking web na ang kadahilanan dito sa mga napakasamang mga proyekto na ginamit ang pondo ng bayan at dahilan kung bakit hirap na hirap po ang ating mga kababayan, hindi lamang sa Bulacan, hindi lamang sa Metro Manila kung hindi all over the country,'' he added.

(This is also included in the huge web, which is the reason for these faulty flood control projects using the public's funds and also the reason why residents are experiencing hardships, not only in Bulacan, Metro Manila, but all over the country.) 

The PCAB is a government agency attached to the Department of Trade and Industry and is one of the implementing Boards in the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP).

Earlier, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson expressed alarm over the supposed extortion in the PCAB, saying a contractor was threatened to pay at least P1 million or face the non-renewal of his license.

Lacson said he was also informed that another contractor had to pay P7 million for his first-time accreditation, adding that he hoped the contractor would cooperate with ongoing investigations and elaborate on the story.

Under the law, no contractor — including sub-contractors and specialty contractors — can engage in the business of contracting without first having secured a PCAB license to conduct business. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News