(In Photo L-R: First Balfour, Inc., President and CEO, Mr. Anthony Paul L. Fernandez, DTI Assistant Secretary and CIAP Alternate Chairperson, Atty. Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero, PODCB Executive Director, Ms. Doris U. Gacho)
Makati City – The Philippine Overseas Construction Board (POCB), an implementing arm of the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) has achieved a milestone on the successful launch of its inaugural flagship forum, “Building a Global Future”, held on 28 November 2023, at the Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City bringing together in one venue the industry captains and subject-matter experts on sustainability, innovation, digital transformation and globalization of construction, engineering and architecture services.
This government-led pioneering event for the construction industry featured public sector leaders from the DTI and DOST along with top engineering, design, and architecture companies and local contractors and suppliers with presence overseas with the likes of Palafox and Associates, ESCA, Aidea, Inc., Whessoe Philippines, Inc., Sta. Clara International Corporation, R.D. Interior Junior Construction, Allado Construction Company, Inc., HOLCIM Philippines, and the Philippine Institute of Certified Quantity Surveyors (PICQS).
The event was also actively participated by Mr. Anthony Mariano, Executive Vice President of Triumph Development Corporation, Prof. Ronilo Balbieran, E-Commerce, Digitalization, Infrastructure Policy, and Planning Specialist of REID Foundation, POCB Board Members Mr. Anthony Paul Fernandez, President & CEO of First Balfour, Inc., Mr. Francisco Gonzalez, Jr., President of Romago, Inc., Mr. Michael Roberto Reyes, President & CEO of DCCD Engineering Corporation, supported by the Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC), the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME), and the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) and was attended by over 90 delegates coming from the government and private sector.
In his keynote speech, Atty. Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero, DTI Assistant Secretary and CIAP Alternate Chairperson underscored the construction industry continues to be one of the main contributors with its 14% input to the overall 5.9% growth recorded in the third quarter 2023 GDP and a key client to over 60 industry sectors such as non-metallic, mineral products and the manufacturing of iron, steel, rubber, and plastics with strong forward linkages to key industry sectors including real estate, education, mining, public utilities, transport, manufacturing, and communications. The DTI through CIAP and POCB rallies with the government in driving initiatives for the construction sector through the Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap 2020 – 2030, and remains steadfast in its commitment to making the Philippines a viable global partner in building nations along with our aspiration to achieve the projected construction value of Php 130 Trillion by 2030. The industry’s journey towards digital transformation is closely interconnected with our goal of creating a sustainable, built environment, and the battle cry “Tagat at Tapat” embodies our vision of fostering a collaborative and resilient environment for the steady economic growth of the construction industry.
Similarly, POCB conducted a session on “Fiscal Incentives for a Globally Competitive Construction Industry” during the PhilConstruct Manila last November 11. The said info session featured the Board of Investments (BOI) which presented the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or “CREATE Act” for PH contractors undertaking projects here and abroad, and the PhilGuarantee Corporation which discussed the access to development financing through credit guarantees that supports trade and investments, exports, infrastructure, energy, tourism, agricultural business/modernization, housing, MSMEs, and other priority sectors of the economy.
For 2024, POCB has lined up a forum on Design + Technology in the Built Environment, and the roadshows on the CREATE Act Incentives and PhilGuarantee’s Credit Guarantee Program during the PhilConstruct trade shows in Clark City, Pampanga, Cebu, and Davao.
To learn more about these events and how POCB can help you promote your construction business overseas, you may contact POCB@construction.gov.ph or through our mobile number: 09178422254.
You may also follow POCB on Facebook for important announcements and updates at: https://www.facebook.com/DTI.CIAP.POCB
