MANILA, Philippines – Nurse advocacy group “Ang Nars Partylist” is the latest group to call out the repeal of the controversial Republic Act 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Law.
Under the CPD Law, all professionals are required to earn CPD units by joining formal and non-formal training for the renewal of their Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Identification Card every three years, effective July 1, 2017.
On their official Facebook page, Leah S. Paquiz, the Founding President of Ang Nars gave a lengthy explanation on why the CPD Law’s implementation has failed.
Paquiz pointed out that while the objective of Continuing Professional Education is important, the implementation of the CPD Law has become a burden to the local professionals.
It can be recalled that Paquiz is one of the co-authors of House Bill No. 6423 or the Continuing Professional Education Act. It was later on amended and adopted by Senate Bill No. 2581 or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2015 which was authored by Antonio V. Trillanes IV, Cynthia A. Villar and Francis G. Escudero. The latter lapsed into law as Republic Act No. 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Law on June 30, 2016.
Paquiz admitted that “While there is nothing wrong with the intent of improving the knowledge and skills of all professionals, the reality is that this law has become a burden to millions of Filipino professionals worldwide.”
Ang Nars Partylist commended Senator Ralph Recto’s Senate Bill No. 2073 that seeks to abolish the CPD Law.
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Paquiz shared that CPD courses have been “way too expensive and inaccessible.” She first pointed out the problems of professionals from the provinces saying they “spend thousands of pesos and travel for dozens of hours, some needing to book flights and rent hotels overnight just to have access to a few measly units. Many professionals put up with being crammed like sardines in a seminar hall just to comply with these requirements.”
Paquiz also shared that the Overseas Filipino Workers even “have it much worse.” She explained that the OFW’s trying to earn CPD units have to endure long and convoluted process and “they run the very real risk of losing their hard earned licenses because of it.”
Paquiz suggested two solutions would have helped the local professionals greatly - Online CPD and Free CPD. But Paquiz lamented, “Why is it then that the PRC created an UNNECESSARY LIMITATION on online sourced CPD, as the majority of the units is still required to be claimed in person?”
Paquiz added, “There is no difference in learning while sitting in a seminar hall and learning through a computer screen. Digital courses even give you the option to repeat lessons no matter how many times you need to.”
In the end, Paquiz admitted that “It is obvious that the PRC is not ready to implement this law without it being a great burden on Filipino professionals.”
Ang Nars: CPD should not be a business
This is not the first time that Leah S. Paquiz and the Ang Nars called out the rules and regulations of CPD Law.
Back in February this year, Paquiz, an active member of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education in the 16th Congress brought the following points during committee hearings on CPD:
1. CPD must stop the proliferation of expensive trainings and seminars that have no corresponding approval / accreditation by the PRC.
2. CPD must be used to strengthen IN-SERVICE trainings given by employers to their workers, FREE of cost.
3. CPDs should be relevant and benefit the participant and given at a REASONABLE cost.
4. CPD must be a bridge to legally recognize certification or specialty learnings programs previously taken by the professionals.
Leah S. Paquiz was a Representative of Ang Nars Partylist in the 16th Congress (2013-2016.) On October 18, 2018, the Ang Nars Party-list filed their Certificate of Candidacy for the 2019 Midterm Elections for their 8-point Legislative Agenda.
— Sally, The Summit Express
Under the CPD Law, all professionals are required to earn CPD units by joining formal and non-formal training for the renewal of their Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Identification Card every three years, effective July 1, 2017.
On their official Facebook page, Leah S. Paquiz, the Founding President of Ang Nars gave a lengthy explanation on why the CPD Law’s implementation has failed.
Paquiz pointed out that while the objective of Continuing Professional Education is important, the implementation of the CPD Law has become a burden to the local professionals.
It can be recalled that Paquiz is one of the co-authors of House Bill No. 6423 or the Continuing Professional Education Act. It was later on amended and adopted by Senate Bill No. 2581 or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2015 which was authored by Antonio V. Trillanes IV, Cynthia A. Villar and Francis G. Escudero. The latter lapsed into law as Republic Act No. 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Law on June 30, 2016.
Paquiz admitted that “While there is nothing wrong with the intent of improving the knowledge and skills of all professionals, the reality is that this law has become a burden to millions of Filipino professionals worldwide.”
Ang Nars Partylist commended Senator Ralph Recto’s Senate Bill No. 2073 that seeks to abolish the CPD Law.
RELATED STORIES
- Recto's bill to abolish CPD Law now filed in Senate
- Lawmakers formally file a bill to repeal CPD Law
- Villanueva aims to amend CPD law, extend PRC license validity to 5 years
- Trillanes says he sympathizes with professionals on CPD law
Paquiz shared that CPD courses have been “way too expensive and inaccessible.” She first pointed out the problems of professionals from the provinces saying they “spend thousands of pesos and travel for dozens of hours, some needing to book flights and rent hotels overnight just to have access to a few measly units. Many professionals put up with being crammed like sardines in a seminar hall just to comply with these requirements.”
Paquiz also shared that the Overseas Filipino Workers even “have it much worse.” She explained that the OFW’s trying to earn CPD units have to endure long and convoluted process and “they run the very real risk of losing their hard earned licenses because of it.”
Paquiz suggested two solutions would have helped the local professionals greatly - Online CPD and Free CPD. But Paquiz lamented, “Why is it then that the PRC created an UNNECESSARY LIMITATION on online sourced CPD, as the majority of the units is still required to be claimed in person?”
Paquiz added, “There is no difference in learning while sitting in a seminar hall and learning through a computer screen. Digital courses even give you the option to repeat lessons no matter how many times you need to.”
In the end, Paquiz admitted that “It is obvious that the PRC is not ready to implement this law without it being a great burden on Filipino professionals.”
Ang Nars: CPD should not be a business
This is not the first time that Leah S. Paquiz and the Ang Nars called out the rules and regulations of CPD Law.
Back in February this year, Paquiz, an active member of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education in the 16th Congress brought the following points during committee hearings on CPD:
1. CPD must stop the proliferation of expensive trainings and seminars that have no corresponding approval / accreditation by the PRC.
2. CPD must be used to strengthen IN-SERVICE trainings given by employers to their workers, FREE of cost.
3. CPDs should be relevant and benefit the participant and given at a REASONABLE cost.
4. CPD must be a bridge to legally recognize certification or specialty learnings programs previously taken by the professionals.
Leah S. Paquiz was a Representative of Ang Nars Partylist in the 16th Congress (2013-2016.) On October 18, 2018, the Ang Nars Party-list filed their Certificate of Candidacy for the 2019 Midterm Elections for their 8-point Legislative Agenda.
— Sally, The Summit Express
