MANILA, Philippines – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has ruled that government employees fulfilling their requirements for their professional licenses are now considered under “official time.”
Following the clamor of the local professionals to help them ease the burden of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements, the CSC has issued a memorandum circular to give professionals ample time to fulfill the requirements.
Under CSC Memorandum Circular No. 18, series of 2018, it states that government employees can now attend seminars/trainings for their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units without worrying of being absent from work. Even the processing of the renewal of Professional Identification Cards (PICs), is now considered official.
The CSC memorandum states:
Attendance of government professionals in CPD Courses shall be considered on official time for purposes of meeting the required CPD units. Anything in excess of what is required for the CPD may be subject to the discretion of the agency heads;
2. Agency heads are responsible in ensuring proper scheduling of their professionals to CPD Trainings so as not to hamper agency operations;
3. The CPD program/courses may also be considered as appropriate for meeting the technical or managerial training hours required for appointment purposes depending on its course description, objectives, and target participants as prescribed by the CPD provider; and
4. All government professionals are granted one (1) day on official time for every three years for the renewal of their Professional Identification Cards (PICs).
The CPD law has been a cause of frustration of many local professional saying that it's time consuming and expensive. While there have been several bills submitted for the amendment and repeal of the CPD law, the Philippine Regulations Commission (PRC) has opted to work with lawmakers in improving the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) instead.
Last December, the PRC released a statement clarifying reports that the CPD law has been abolished. The agency stood firm that CPD is vital to professional development and that the Senate Bill that aims to repeal the law is still pending.
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PRC also gave assurances that they are on their way to addressing the issues raised by professionals. The stated, “PRC and the Professional Regulatory Boards have put in place initiatives to address issues of affordability and accessibility. Guidelines are being prepared to standardize seminar fees, crediting of professional activities and online courses.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
Following the clamor of the local professionals to help them ease the burden of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements, the CSC has issued a memorandum circular to give professionals ample time to fulfill the requirements.
CSC MC No. 18, s. 2018 by on Scribd
Under CSC Memorandum Circular No. 18, series of 2018, it states that government employees can now attend seminars/trainings for their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units without worrying of being absent from work. Even the processing of the renewal of Professional Identification Cards (PICs), is now considered official.
The CSC memorandum states:
Attendance of government professionals in CPD Courses shall be considered on official time for purposes of meeting the required CPD units. Anything in excess of what is required for the CPD may be subject to the discretion of the agency heads;
2. Agency heads are responsible in ensuring proper scheduling of their professionals to CPD Trainings so as not to hamper agency operations;
3. The CPD program/courses may also be considered as appropriate for meeting the technical or managerial training hours required for appointment purposes depending on its course description, objectives, and target participants as prescribed by the CPD provider; and
4. All government professionals are granted one (1) day on official time for every three years for the renewal of their Professional Identification Cards (PICs).
The CPD law has been a cause of frustration of many local professional saying that it's time consuming and expensive. While there have been several bills submitted for the amendment and repeal of the CPD law, the Philippine Regulations Commission (PRC) has opted to work with lawmakers in improving the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) instead.
Last December, the PRC released a statement clarifying reports that the CPD law has been abolished. The agency stood firm that CPD is vital to professional development and that the Senate Bill that aims to repeal the law is still pending.
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PRC also gave assurances that they are on their way to addressing the issues raised by professionals. The stated, “PRC and the Professional Regulatory Boards have put in place initiatives to address issues of affordability and accessibility. Guidelines are being prepared to standardize seminar fees, crediting of professional activities and online courses.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
