The “masters of construction” (seated, l-r), former DPWH secretaries and First Balfour directors Dr. Fiorello Estuar and Gregorio Vigilar, with (standing, l-r) ESCA Knowledge Academy president Dr. Flor Varona, PCAF program director Anthony Mariano, DMCI Holdings CEO Isidro Consunji, PCA executive director Barry Paulino and PCA president Morris AgoncilloFounded in 1997, Philippine Constructors Association Foundation (PCAF) continues to offer programs that meet workforce needs essential to pushing the Philippine construction industry to become globally competitive.

Headed by First Balfour president and chief operating officer Anthony Fernandez, the vision of PCAF focuses on education for the construction industry by providing training and continuing education opportunities for construction professionals.

Its programs gained traction in 2018 with the revival of its banner projects—the Construction Program Management (CPM) Course Masterclass and the Construction Supervisors Training Program (CSTP).

Construction Program Management

A 10-day masterclass, CPM offers those involved in construction projects the unique opportunity to hear and learn from industry leaders on how construction programs are conceptualized, implemented and closed out, from preconstruction, during construction and post-construction. Participants learn from the masters in the engineering and construction industry, including former Department of Public Works and Highways Sec. Gregorio Vigilar, Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board chairman Dr. Pericles Dakay, Jorge Consunji and Isidro Consunji of DMCI and, of course, First Balfour’s Fernandez, Dr. Fiorello Estuar and Rey Villar.

After workshop activities and case studies on topics such as project execution planning, estimating and costing, project scheduling and contract administration, among others, participants are then required to undergo a competency assessment so as to be recognized as a PCA-certified construction program manager.

To date, there are already 82 PCA- certified construction program managers including First Balfour’s Paolo Sapinoso who finished at the top of his batch in September 2018.

CPM is organized by PCA and PCAF in partnership with ESCA Knowledge Academy, Construction Manpower Development Foundation, and Philippine Business for Education.

Construction Supervisors Training Program

Meanwhile, CSTP resulted from a memorandum of agreement between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and PCA. The primary goal of the partnership is to create qualified, globally-competitive and job-ready construction supervisors and assistant construction supervisors needed by the construction industry.

Participants may be current and/or potential lead men and foremen, project supervisors, project engineers and field architects from PCA member firms who will undergo 128 hours of lectures and 640 hours of apprenticeship.

Since its launch, CSTP has had enterprise-based trainings in Metro Manila, Davao, Cebu and Dumaguete.

First Balfour is also one of the recognized training partners for CSTP with a scheduled run in its main office in Sucat and its project in Leyte in 2020. (Story/Photos by: Dolly Pasia-Ramos)

First Balfour president and COO Anthony Fernandez was appointed PCAF president in early 2019