MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has asked the Supreme Court to reverse its decision which allows foreign contractors to obtain licenses and participate in government or private projects in the country. “Allowing the issuance of regular license to foreign contractors would result to unbridled influx of foreign contractors to the detriment of local contractors in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including the concerned professionals and Filipino workers, among others,” the OSG said in the motion, which was filed on behalf of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). Foreign firms can only be granted a special license, and they need to have a separate license for each contracting activity. “Should the assailed provision in the IRR be nullified, the easier entry of foreign contractors will allow foreign contractors to compete with local MSME contractors in relatively smaller projects,” the OSG warned. “Plainly, actual foreign participation belies the conclusion that Section 3.1 of the IRR of RA 4566 is effectively restrictive rather than purely regulatory.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 04, 2020 08:48 UTC