29 October 2012, GMA News
The Philippine Constructors Association signed an agreement with its Australian counterpart, the Master Builders Australia Ltd., during President Benigno Aquino III’s state visit there, said the Department of Trade and Industray.
“The agreement will facilitate the entry of Australian construction firms in the country, particularly in the public-private partnership projects of the government,” said Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio on Monday. Panlilio was part of the 96-member delegation that accompanied Aquino on his state trips.
PCA president Augusto Manalo, first vice president Gerardo Pancho and executive director Manolito Madrasto, were also included in the delegation.
The memorandum of understanding, which was signed by the PCA and the MBA on Oct. 25, sets areas of cooperation between the two industry groups in the Philippines, in Australia and in third countries of interest, including but not limited to PPP projects and hard infrastructure such as roads, airports, seaports, and bridges; social infrastructure such as schools, housing, hospitals and prisons; participation in construction expositions such as Philconstruct and Technoforum events, technology transfers, construction professional and manpower training; and trade missions.
The participants are optimistic that the agreement will result in more business and employment opportunities for PCA members.
Since its founding, the Philippine Constructors Association, Inc. has grown from a small group of individuals in the construction business to more than 1,500 members nationwide, undertaking 80 percent of government infrastructure projects.
Members of the association include engineering, building, trade and specialty contractors, suppliers and executives of the construction industry and other allied organizations. — BM, GMA News
