MANILA, Philippines – The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) admitted that they are facing several problems in the implementation of R.A. 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act of 2016.
In a dialogue with Senator Ralph Recto, PRC called the complaints against the controversial law as part of “birthing pains.”
With only a staff of 10, Senator Recto shared that PRC was unprepared and even unbudgeted for the implementation of the CPD law. Recto said, “Malinaw na kulang anila ang kakarampot nilang 10 staff na nakatokang mag-asikaso sa mga problemang may kinalaman sa CPD sa buong bansa.”
“Hindi rin daw sila nabigyan ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ng karagdagang budget para sa pagpapatupad ng CPD Act sa kabila ng paulit-ulit na paghingi,” the senator added.
Despite the challenges, PRC gave assurance that they are working with various sectors to improve the program. They have also noted all the complaints from the local professionals including the number of required CPD units, the high cost of seminars and many others.
Recto works with PRC in finding solutions
Senator Recto revealed that during their meeting, PRC shared the initiatives and several possible solutions to answer the professionals’ woes.
Among the initiatives they are working on include:
PRC: CPD is necessary
PRC stands by its belief that CPD is necessary in professional growth. However, the agency also agreed that the law needs to be amended to address the growing frustration against it.
It was Recto's idea to have a “classification of professionals” depending on the units they have completed. This will make the earning of CPD units an option and no longer compulsory.
With the recent filing of Recto’s Senate Bill No. 2073, PRC issued an official statement denying news that the CPD law is now abolished. They clarified that the bill still needs to go through the legislative process before it could amend the existing law.
READ: PRC issues clarifications on Senate Bill No. 2073
However, PRC said that they continue to practice maximum flexibility in the renewal of PRC licenses. They said, “Applications for Renewal of Professional Identification Cards (PICs) until the end of 2019 are accepted even without full CPD compliance, provided the applicant undertakes to complete his/her compliance.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
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| PRC shares initiatives to address complaints on CPD law |
In a dialogue with Senator Ralph Recto, PRC called the complaints against the controversial law as part of “birthing pains.”
With only a staff of 10, Senator Recto shared that PRC was unprepared and even unbudgeted for the implementation of the CPD law. Recto said, “Malinaw na kulang anila ang kakarampot nilang 10 staff na nakatokang mag-asikaso sa mga problemang may kinalaman sa CPD sa buong bansa.”
“Hindi rin daw sila nabigyan ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ng karagdagang budget para sa pagpapatupad ng CPD Act sa kabila ng paulit-ulit na paghingi,” the senator added.
Despite the challenges, PRC gave assurance that they are working with various sectors to improve the program. They have also noted all the complaints from the local professionals including the number of required CPD units, the high cost of seminars and many others.
Recto works with PRC in finding solutions
Senator Recto revealed that during their meeting, PRC shared the initiatives and several possible solutions to answer the professionals’ woes.
Among the initiatives they are working on include:
- For government agencies to sponsor the training fees of government employees
- To regulate the fees of CPD providers
- To allow the renewal of PRC licenses in exchange for a signature of undertaking or a formal promise that they will still complete the CPD units before their next renewal
- To establish a CPD hotline that will help address concerns
- To build PRC mobile/touring caravans in far-fetched areas
PRC: CPD is necessary
PRC stands by its belief that CPD is necessary in professional growth. However, the agency also agreed that the law needs to be amended to address the growing frustration against it.
It was Recto's idea to have a “classification of professionals” depending on the units they have completed. This will make the earning of CPD units an option and no longer compulsory.
With the recent filing of Recto’s Senate Bill No. 2073, PRC issued an official statement denying news that the CPD law is now abolished. They clarified that the bill still needs to go through the legislative process before it could amend the existing law.
READ: PRC issues clarifications on Senate Bill No. 2073
However, PRC said that they continue to practice maximum flexibility in the renewal of PRC licenses. They said, “Applications for Renewal of Professional Identification Cards (PICs) until the end of 2019 are accepted even without full CPD compliance, provided the applicant undertakes to complete his/her compliance.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
