The Department of Trade and Industry-Iloilo Provincial Office observed that with the on-going construction happening everywhere in the City and Province of Iloilo for both private and government projects, it is safe to say that those who are engaged in the construction industry are benefiting in the booming economy of Iloilo.  But how confident are the project owners that the contractors doing the project are licensed contractors?  The question is, “Will you allow an unlicensed contractor to build what could be your most cherished possession – your home, or even a commercial building, as one of your major investments?” 

There is a misconception among the community of contractors that only those contractors dealing with government projects are required to get a contractor’s license from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB).

Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. of the DTI-Iloilo Provincial Office said “that as provided for in R.A. 4566, otherwise known as the Contractor’s License Law, as amended by P.D. No. 1746, no contractor (including sub-contractor and specialty contractor) shall engage in the business of contracting without first having secured a PCAB license to conduct business.”  He further pointed out that it is an offense to engage in contracting business without a license first being obtained. 

Therefore, all contractors must be licensed if they should engage in construction business.  If they decide to bid and contract for government projects, they must also apply for registration and classification of contractors for government infrastructure projects.  Under such registration, contractors are classified from Small A to Large B depending on the category of their license.

Director Cadena further said that “getting a contractor’s license before was a difficult undertaking because they still need to go to Metro Manila even just for inquiry on requirements and check listing/pre-screening of documents before they can be officially accepted by PCAB.”

To address this concern and to bring its services closer to the provinces, PCAB, being an attached agency of DTI has designated and trained personnel in the DTI provincial offices to assist contractors in complying with PCAB requirements.  Contractors can now visit DTI offices to inquire on the requirements or have their documents pre-screened before their final submission to PCAB Manila.  In this process, contractors can save a lot of time, money and effort from going back and forth to Manila before their documents can be officially filed with PCAB.

For inquiries about PCAB contractor’s licensing and registration, please call DTI-Iloilo Provincial Office at 335-0149 or 337-0392 or you may visit the office located at DTI Bldg., cor. J.M. Basa-M. Peralta Sts., Iloilo City.