The Philippine Domestic Construction Board (PDCB), one of the implementing arms of the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), in partnership with the Philippine Constructor’s Association, Inc. (PCA), successfully conducted the second run of the info session entitled Know Your Contracts: An Overview of Construction Contracts in the Philippines. This was held at the sidelines of PhilConstruct Luzon last 30 March 2023, from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the SMX Convention Center Clark, Pampanga.
A total of 96 participants attended the event physically, while 32 were accommodated online. Various industry stakeholders including contractors, developers, designers, construction professionals, and those from government agencies were present, filling the venue to the overflow.
The program was officially opened by the PDCB Chairman and DATEM’s CEO Engr. Levy Espiritu.
The first lecture on The Basics of CIAP Document 102 was delivered by no other than Atty. Roberto Dio, a practicing lawyer for 37 years, an accredited mediator and commercial and construction arbitrator both for domestic and international arbitration, and a Certified CIAP Document 102 trainer. His lecture covered an introduction to contracts, specifically construction contracts and documents, the overview of CIAP Document 102, its purpose, its application and relevant Supreme Court applications, the basic principles in interpreting construction contracts, and the salient features of CIAP Document 102.
The second presentation on the Simplified Philippine Bidding Documents (PBDs) for Goods and Infrastructure Projects was delivered by our very own Atty. Aiiza Fiel A. Arcenal, the Division Chief of the Programs and Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division (PPCMD) of the CIAP, and an accredited GPPB-trainer on R.A. 9184. She discussed the contents of the simplified PBDs for Goods and Infrastructure projects and how to prepare these documents.
The third presentation on FIDIC Contracts was delivered by the renowned Mr. Salvador P. Castro, Jr., a civil engineer conferred both as an ASEAN and APEC engineer, a multi-awarded and globally-recognized FIDIC Contracts trainer, and the chairman of SPCastro, Inc. He differentiated domestic contracts and international contracts, introduced the various standard forms of FIDIC Contracts and their respective uses, and explained their applicability and relevance to our foreign-funded projects. He also highlighted how the FIDIC Standard Forms of Contract can address possible claims arising from recent issues, such as the pandemic, price escalation of fuel and materials, climate change, and international trade sanctions, through its key provisions on force majeure, variation and adjustments, among others.
Following the presentations, a question-and-answer portion was facilitated where the queries of the audience were expertly addressed by the resource speakers. The program was officially closed by the PDCB Executive Director and CIAP Executive Director-in-charge Ms. Doris Gacho.
For more information and updates on our upcoming events, follow PDCB on our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DTI.CIAP.PDCB/), visit our website at www.construction.gov.ph, or send us an e-mail at PDCB@construction.gov.ph.
