DTI launches masterclass for builders

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched the Builders’ Basic Masterclass (BBM) program, which aims to integrate informal contractors into the formal construction sector.

In a statement sent over the weekend, the trade department said that the program is being spearheaded by the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines’ Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) and Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF).

“It is designed to facilitate proper licensing and enable wider participation of grassroots builders in the mainstream industry, strengthening the overall construction value chain,” it added.

According to the DTI, it plans to roll out the program nationwide in partnership with local government units and industry associations with the aim of targeting builders in areas with limited access to specialized training.

DTI Fair Trade Group Officer-in-Charge Regino Mallari, Jr. said that the contributions of informal, also known as “pakyaw,” contractors to national development are often unrecognized.

“Though small in size, their impact is immense. From the roads that connect our communities to the schools that nurture our children to the homes that shelter our families, their hands have built the very foundations of our daily lives,” he said.

The BBM program covers modules on project management, regulatory compliance, site operations, and business development.

Currently, there are over 600 licensed “pakyaw” contractors nationwide.

“The program is expected to increase this number, expanding its formal participation in the mainstream construction sector,” DTI said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile