DTI’s masterclass seeks to bring ‘pakyaw’ contractors into formal economy

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its construction arm, Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), recently launched the Builders’ Basic Masterclass (BBM) program to integrate the country’s informal “pakyaw” contractors into the formal construction sector.

Spearheaded by CIAP‘s Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) and  Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF), the program is designed to facilitate proper licensing and enable wider participation of grassroots builders in the mainstream industry, strengthening the overall construction value chain.

In a message delivered by Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut of the DTI Regional Operations Group, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque affirmed the government’s commitment to the program.

“BBM is the kind of program that shall leave a lasting legacy. It is not a one-time intervention, but rather a sustained investment in the individuals who help construct the very fabric of our nation—our “pakyaw” contractors,” Baluyut said, speaking on behalf of the secretary.

PHOTO BY VERONICA UY

In a news release, the DTI said it plans to roll out the BBM nationwide by partnering with local government units and industry associations, targeting builders in areas with limited access to specialized training.

Atty. Regino Mallari Jr., officer-in-charge of the DTI Fair Trade Group, noted the significant, often unrecognized, contribution of “pakyaw” contractors to national development.

“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,” Atty. Mallari said.

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

PCAB Chairman Dr. Pericles P. Dakay, who introduced the program’s framework, said that the program also aims to instill values like leadership, accountability, and integrity essential for thriving in the formal construction sector.

With over 600 licensed “pakyaw” contractors nationwide, the program is expected to increase this number, expanding their formal participation in the mainstream construction sector.