DTI masterclass integrates ‘pakyaw’ builders into formal economy

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched a new training initiative to transition informal “pakyaw” contractors into the formal construction economy, marking a significant step in empowering grassroots builders across the Philippines.

The Builders’ Basic Masterclass (BBM), spearheaded by the DTI’s Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), is designed to equip small-scale builders with the technical, regulatory, and entrepreneurial skills required to obtain proper licenses and compete in the mainstream construction sector.

Developed jointly by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) and the Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF), the BBM program was unveiled as part of CIAP’s efforts to strengthen the national construction value chain.

“BBM is the kind of program that shall leave a lasting legacy,” said Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut of the DTI Regional Operations Group, delivering a message on behalf of Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque.

“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,” she said.

The DTI plans to roll out the program nationwide through partnerships with local government units and industry associations, focusing on underserved regions with limited access to specialized construction training.

Atty. Regino Mallari Jr., officer-in-charge of the DTI Fair Trade Group, emphasized the vital but often overlooked role of informal builders in national infrastructure.

“Though small in size, their impact is immense,” Mallari said.

“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.”

BBM participants will be trained in core areas such as project management, regulatory compliance, construction site operations, and business development, with a strong emphasis on ethics and professionalism.

PCAB Chairman Dr. Pericles P. Dakay, who introduced the program framework, said the training also aims to build values essential for long-term industry success.

“We’re not just teaching technical skills. We’re instilling leadership, accountability, and integrity,” Dakay said.

There are currently more than 600 licensed “pakyaw” contractors nationwide, according to PCAB records.

The BBM program aims to increase that number by streamlining licensing pathways and encouraging more informal builders to formalize their operations.