DTI prohibits PCAB members from owning construction firms

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) are no longer allowed to own a construction company, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque said.

Roque said in a press conference on Wednesday, October 22, that owning a construction company and being a PCAB member at the same time is a “conflict of interest.”

This policy change comes after reports revealed that Erni Baggao, one of the board members of the PCAB, was among the top flood control project contractors in the country. He is the owner and president of EGB Construction Corporation which cornered P7.7 billion worth of flood control projects, including their joint ventures, from 2022 to 2025.

Former PCAB chair Herbert Matienzo also resigned after his office was linked to an alleged scheme where construction firms are paid to secure accreditation.

He has since been replaced by acting PCAB executive director Sergie Retome, in what the DTI described as part of its “ongoing efforts to clean up and revamp both agencies.”

Roque said PCAB members, who are presidential appointees, must have extensive experience in engineering or construction. She added that the list of new board members will be announced “very soon.”

Roque appeared before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure on Wednesday to discuss policy reforms in the PCAB. – with reports from Jairo Bolledo/Rappler.com