Reform PCAB

A clear conflict of interest - that was how Senate Blue Ribbon Committee vice chair Erwin Tulfo described the trou- bling situation at the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). Investigation revealed the requirement that one must be a contractor to become a member of the PCAB, the chief licensing agency for contractors in the country.

- JOE ZALDARRIAGA

In a privilege speech, Sen. Tulfo expressed his disbelief in what he considered “corruption in broad daylight.” He questioned the rationale behind this, “How can they monitor, oversee and regulate construction projects in the coun-

try, whether these are done properly, are not substandard, or are not ghost projects if they themselves are also contractors? Clearly there is a conflict of interest here!”

This revelation comes amid allegations linking some PCAB members to anomalous flood control projects, prompting Sen. Tulfo to file Senate Bill 1373, which seeks to amend the Contractor’s License Law (RA 4566).

A key provision of the proposed reform is the disqualification of conflicted individuals from serving on the PCAB board. Specifically, anyone who is an owner, stockholder or official of a company that transacts with the government will be barred from board membership. Should a conflict of interest arise during their term, the member will be required to divest within 30 days to retain their position.

Beyond conflict-of-interest safeguards, the bill also proposes stricter qualifications for PCAB board members. Under the new framework, the board will be composed of a chairperson and four members representing key sectors: the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the construction industry, and the academe or civil society. This multi-sectoral composition aims to bring in technical expertise, regulatory oversight and independent perspectives, ensuring that PCAB operates with greater transparency, accountability and public trust.