Sen. Revilla cites role of contractors in nation building

BACOLOD CITY – Around 150 contractors all over the province listened to Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. when he graced the 1st Induction Ceremony of the Negros Occidental Group of Contractors Inc. (NOGCI) and served as the guest speaker of the activity held in Planta Hotel Sunday.

Revilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Works and Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, said he was very grateful and honored to be with Negros contractors as he look forward the significance of construction industry in the country today.

He reiterated the importance of infrastructure as he defined it as the backbone of the nation, the foundation of development and measure of progress.

Revilla cited that better infrastructure facilities such as roads have something to do with investments.
"Kung maayos ang lansangan, bababa ang presyo ng mga produkto at bibilis ang kaunlaran. Kung sapat ang mga pasilidad, aayos ang mga serbisyo", Revilla added.

Bureaucracy leads to corruption as he described the paper trails with many "checkpoints". The so called "checkpoints" would mean additional burden to people's money since the contract of 50 million for example would become 100 million because of "tongpats". Out of this, Revilla said to the listening contractors to do their role in fighting graft and corruption.

Contractors are builders with great responsibility and partners of government in working for a more and efficient, effective and responsive construction industry.

"I'd like to believe, you are into this business not primarily to earn, but to help in the efforts of our government in uplifting the present state of our country's infrastructure. We must act together to the battle against corruption, at all levels," he stressed.

On the other hand, Engr. Bernabe Gilbor, the first NOGSI President he was very glad for having the good senator to be their guest speaker.

Gilbor was emotional in saying that in their endeavor, though they mean business but some people did some personal attacks against them as he exampled what happened to him in the Southern Negros where his license was suspended.
But despite of this situation still they are with the industry as he considered it as a very noble job with sense of professionalism.

Negros Governor Isidro Zayco as an inducting officer made a big challenge to the group to do the active role in nation building as he believed that contractors are the allies of the province in the development.

Gilbor on the other hand accepted the challenge and promised to work together in line with government's vision.
Also with the new group is 4th District Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer together with Rene Fajardo, the OIC of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board.