The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will conduct a comprehensive review for companies “facing potential license revocation” as the government focuses on infrastructure projects after the discovery of anomalies.
It said the review “aims to uphold transparency and accountability” after the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) issued a resolution revoking the licenses of construction companies owned by businesswoman Sarah Discaya.
The review, it said, will be made “once the resigned Executive Director of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board submits the necessary turnover documents.”
“This also reflects DTI’s commitment to ensure fair practices and protect industry integrity in government procurement and licensing,” it added.
Discaya, during a Senate hearing on Monday, admitted she owns the St. Gerrard Construction Gen. Contractor & Dev’t Corp., Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Dev’t Corp., St. Timothy Construction Corp., Amethyst Horizon Builders and Gen. Contractor & Dev’t Corp., St. Matthew General Contractor & Development Corp., Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor, Inc., YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply, Inc., Waymaker OPC, and Elite General Contractor and Development Corp.
These firms are under scrutiny vis-à-vis the investigation into the government’s various infrastructure projects, some of which have been proven to be ghost projects, or have been reported as finished but not in reality.
On Wednesday, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque placed the PCAB and the Construction Industry Association of the Philippines (CIAP) under her direct supervision to “restore integrity and transparency through a major revamp.”
“Placing them under my direct supervision will ensure that order, transparency, and accountability (are) restored within these agencies,” she said.
DTI PHOTO