Makati City, Philippines — The Philippine Overseas Construction Board (POCB) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing international partnership in Construction, Architectural, and Engineering Design and Services Outsourcing (CAEDSO) through the establishment of a strategic collaboration with Digital Engineering Professionals, Inc. (DEP). The partnership was sealed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 11, 2026, at the DTI-CIAP Philippine Overseas and Domestic Construction Board (PODCB) Office in Makati City.
The MOU provides a cooperative framework to support the growth and internationalization of the Construction, Architecture, and Engineering (CAE) industries. It seeks to expand opportunities for cross-border collaboration, capacity development, technology exchange, and digital transformation between the Philippines and the Middle East. Central to the partnership is the promotion of Philippine expertise in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in engineering and construction across regional and global markets.
Furthermore, this partnership supports POCB’s strategic campaign to promote the Philippine CAEDSO sector in the international arena. Through these efforts, it seeks to expand market access, facilitate high-value business engagements, and unlock greater opportunities for Filipino professionals and firms in the international arena.
In her welcome address, PODCB Executive Director Doris Gacho highlighted the initiative as a milestone in strengthening international cooperation for the Philippine CAE sectors. She thanked DEP and PTIC Riyadh, led by Commercial Attaché Vince Lorenzo T. Liwanag, for their strong support, emphasizing that shared commitment and excellence are key to sustaining collaboration and achieving their common vision.
DEP Managing Director Saad Aggag also expressed gratitude to POCB and PTIC Riyadh, reaffirming DEP’s commitment to advancing the construction industry in the Philippines, the Middle East, and beyond.
In his closing statement, Commercial Attaché Liwanag commended the progress of this partnership, initiated during the Second Philippine Construction Business Mission to the Middle East in November 2025, and highlighted its role in showcasing Philippine expertise and services globally, setting the stage for even greater collaboration and impact during the upcoming Third Philippine Construction Business Mission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this fourth quarter.
This initiative reflects the shared commitment of the Philippine government and industry stakeholders, both local and overseas, to drive digital transformation, strengthen industry competitiveness, and position the Philippines as a trusted global partner in CAEDSO. For more information on how POCB supports the growth of CAE businesses overseas, interested parties may contact the office via email at POCB@construction.gov.ph or mobile at +63-917-842-2254. For updates and announcements, follow POCB on Facebook at facebook.com/DTI.CIAP.POCB and visit the CIAP official website at www.construction.gov.ph.