In a special gesture to Filipino professionals renewing their licenses, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Council to review the CPD law and program to help ease the burden on practitioners.
President Marcos said his directive to review the CPD Act of 2016 (RA No. 10912) is among the many ways he expresses his gratitude to Filipino professionals and workers. He made the call during the 123rd Labor Day celebrations held at a Pasay City convention center.
“Mahirap na nga ang mag-hanapbuhay, pahihirapan pa ba natin ang naghahanap-buhay?” President Marcos remarked in his Labor Day speech.
CPD is a requirement for all licensed and registered professionals before they can renew their Professional Identification Cards issued by the PRC. The law aims to continuously improve the competence of Filipino professionals through training, seminars, and workshops to renew their licenses.
Addressing directly Filipinos who are PRC license holders, the President said, “Para naman po sa ating mga propesyunal, sang-ayon ako na kailangan ninyong mag-dagdag ng kaalaman upang makasabay sa pangangailangan ng industriya. Hindi lang sa Pilipinas, kundi pati sa buong mundo.”
“Ngunit, hindi po kaila sa akin ang hirap na inyong pinagdaraanan upang makapag-renew ng inyong mga ID. Marami sa inyo ang dumaraing sa hirap at gastos sa pag-kuha ng training na kailangan para sa inyong license renewal,” the President said.
Recognizing the importance of continuing education for professionals, the President, however, said the law, its guidelines, and implementation need to be revisited to balance professional development with accessibility and fairness.
“Kaya ang panawagan ko sa PRC at sa Continuing Professional Development Council, bisitahin natin ang ating mga panuntunan. Tingnan natin kung nararapat ang ating mga training na ginagawa,” President Marcos said.
The CPD law and its implementation have been criticized as costly and inaccessible, particularly to those working in remote areas or low-paying jobs.
The President acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the need for reforms prioritizing genuine growth and competency rather than compliance for compliance’s sake.
“Kung kinakailangan, bisitahin natin ang Republic Act No. 10912 o ‘yung Continuing Professional Development Act upang maitiyak naman natin na ito ay hindi lamang para sa pagbuo ng mga oras ng training para sa renewal ng mga lisensya, bagkus ay para bigyan ng patas na pagkakataon ang ating mga propesyunal na umunlad sa kanilang mga napiling larangan,” the President said. | PND
