By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Senior Reporter
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it is considering a proposal to establish a public service program that will encourage legal contractors to do other government jobs.
“You have green lanes for investors and eligible companies based on certain conditions; there is no reason why we cannot do that in the DPWH,” according to Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon, speaking at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) 1St General Membership Meeting on Monday.
“We can have a green lane to speed up the requirements, (speeding up the process of paying contractors),” he added, noting that the department will work with PCCI to design such a system.
He said one of the objectives of the green lane program is to encourage well-managed contractors to participate in public works.
“If the main contractors and the official contractors join the DPWH, I think (it will help rebuild) trust the department,” he added.
PCCI President Ferdinand A. Ferrer said the green lane plan will help the infrastructure system regain momentum.
“We saw what happened when they stopped it; our domestic product went down,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the event, referring to the corruption of the 2025 flood control, which caused a review of all government activities.
Mr. Ferrer said that the DPWH and PCCI want to come up with methods to be used to filter the legal contractors.
“Let’s give them a medal that says, ‘Now you are part of the green route, and we will make (your participation in government programs) easier, including payments,'” he said.
“Right now, many contractors are waiting to be paid, but now that the DPWH has been funded, they will get paid.
The target, Mr. Ferrer, to establish a green route plan within three months.
“We will work with the Board of Investments and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to help the DPWH establish a green lane as soon as possible,” he said.
“It took us a year to establish the green lane at BoI. We can’t wait a year, so we want to set it up maybe in three months, hopefully,” said Mr. Ferrer.
He said PCCI is scheduled to discuss the plan with DPWH next week. Discussions with agencies establishing a green lane and a one-stop shop for strategic investments are ongoing.
Mr. Ferrer also said that PCCI wants to play a greater role in the regional development councils of the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development.
Mr. Dizon also stressed the need for reforms in the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB).
“Over time nakita nating problema ay nanggagaling po doon (It is the root of many problems) … Therefore, we should also reform that institution and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),” he said.
Mr. Ferrer said PCCI is also scheduled to talk with the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) to develop the PCAB.
“We will work with the new PCA management … to help us understand how to improve the PCAB license. So that when they issue the license, they will not only give peace of mind to other contractors but also to other stakeholders,” he added.
