PRC marks 45th year with new achievements
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), under the stewardship of Chairman Teofilo Pilando Jr. and Commissioners Yolanda Reyes and Jose Cueto Jr., celebrates its 45th year with the theme “PRC @ 45: Standing Stronger, Reaching Wider, and Serving Better.”
Through the years, the PRC has undergone major improvements in its systems and key directions. These initiatives were put in place to support the 10-Point Agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. These accomplishments are as follows:
1. Frontline Service Centers
The Commission entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Robinsons Land Corporation to bring PRC frontline services available, closer and more accessible to the professionals.
This initiative made possible the setting-up of PRC Service Centers in selected Robinsons Malls in Manila, Butuan, Dumaguete, Iloilo, General Santos, Cebu, Bacolod, Galleria, Santiago, Sta. Rosa, Dasmariñas, Ilocos, Palawan, Novaliches, Pangasinan, Ormoc, Naga, Iligan, Tagum, Pampanga and Tacloban.
2. One-Stop Service Centers for OFWs (OSSCO)
In response to the President directive to make it easier for our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to avail the services of the government, PRC maintains its OSSCO at POEA in Mandaluyong, Clark, Pampanga, and in the Cities of Zamboanga, Koronadal, Legazpi, Calamba, Cebu, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro and Palayan (Nueva Ecija).
3. Enhanced Licensure Examination Registration Information System (LERIS)
The PRC developed the LERIS, a fully computerized system, which is now being utilized and fully implemented in the PRC Central and regional offices, automates the examination application, initial registration, renewal of PRC ID, payment, among others. Notably, it has significantly reduced the processing time and procedural steps of PRC’s key frontline transactions.
The online services are available anytime, anywhere in the world, 24/7, and can be accessed through the PRC website at http://www.prc. gov.ph.
4. E-Payment System
The PRC, together with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) signed a MoA regarding the Link.Biz Portal last May 17, 2018.
LANDBANK Link.BizPortal is an e-payment facility that allows clients to pay for products and services via the Internet from both the government and private institutions and sectors.
5. Special Professional Licensure Examinations (SPLE)
PRC conducts annual SPLE for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) aspiring to become professionals in selected Middle East countries and in some Asian countries, among others.
The Commission has adopted new rules to implement the request for, approval and conduct of SPLE.
6. New Organizational Structure
The Commission’s new organizational structure and staffing pattern pursuant to Republic Act no. 8981 was approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in 2016. New PRC offices such as NCR, Regions I, III, IV-B, XII, XIII, among others were created and will be operationalized to reach wider and for better public service.
The reorganization of the Commission provides opportunities to its job orders to gain permanent positions in the Commission thereby supporting the President’s policy to end contractualization, and, for the regular employees to upgrade their level.
7. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Law
Republic Act No. 10192 or An Act Mandating and Strengthening the Continuing Professional Development Program for All Regulated Professions, otherwise known as the CPD Act of 2016 took effect on Aug. 16, 2016, making it a mandatory requirement in the renewal of the Professional Identification Cards (PICs) of all registered and licensed professionals under the regulation of the PRC.
CPD aims to promote, upgrade, and continuously improve the competence of the Filipino professionals in accordance with the international standards of practice.
Professionals may acquire and earn credit units or points through formal learning, non-formal learning, informal learning, selfdirected learning, online learning activities, and professional work experience and through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practice and activities.
Part of the eGovernance initiatives and streamlining efforts of the Commission, a CPD Accreditation System (CPDAS), which is an online system, was developed. This system will enable online application of CPD provider/program and hasten the approval of the same. It will provide a facility that will allow the CPD providers to upload the attendance of professionals, and will enable the professionals to view their CPD units earned.
PRC exercises maximum flexibility, accessibility and affordability in the implementation of CPD.
8. ISO Certification
The PRC Central Office and four of its Regional Offices, particularly Tacloban, Cagayan De Oro, Lucena, and Tuguegarao, were awarded Certificate of Registration of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008 and 9001:2015, respectively, by the ISO certifying body the Certification International Philippines, Inc. (CIP) for its three major front-line services on Application for Examination, Registration of new professionals and Renewal of Professional Identification Cards.
9. Commission Social Responsibility (CSR)
The CSR was created to provide assistance to victims of natural and/or man-made disasters and calamities and to rouse the social consciousness of the professionals in helping the less fortunate citizens living in depressed areas in the country.
One of the relief efforts initiated by the CSR was by tapping the 43 Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) and their respective professional organizations to reach out to our fellowmen affected by the recent crisis in Marawi City
The Commission through the CSR adapted the following programs: Natural/Man-Made disasters/ calamities, Adopt-A-Community, Medical Missions, and Specific Missions for Livelihood programs among others.
10. Educational Scholarship Program
The PRC Educational Scholarship Assistance Program in collaboration with the Philippine Association of the Professional Regulatory Boards Members, Inc. (PAPRB) was initiated last November 2016. A total of 20 employees signified to obtain the degree in Master of Public Administration (MPA) while four employees for the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) facilitated by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Manila.
The program is open to permanent employees and job order workers which aims to upgrade their credentials and their career advancement. Currently, the scholars are in the last phase of their study and expected to graduate in due time.
11. Professional Branding of Filipino Professionals
With the full implementation of the ASEAN Integration on the cross border practice of professionals, the Commission envisions promoting, enhancing, and uplifting the image of Filipino professionals in the local and international setting, thus, the Promotion and Branding of Filipino Professionals program was created.
For smooth execution, the program was divided into three parts: Print and Internet Media; Television and Visual Media; and Radio and Broadcast Media. Several appearances on TV and radio interviews were also attended to by the Board and the Commission to provide information regarding PRC and the regulated professions.
12. Renovation of PRC Building in Manila
With the increasing number of professionals and the creation of new offices under the reorganization of the Commission, the rehabilitation of the old PRC building is paramount to its operation as it will provide comfortable and conducive working area and environment for its employees and the transacting public. The Commission has recently started the renovation of the Central Office building in P. Paredes, Manila.
13. Construction of PRC Building in Pasay City
The construction of PRC CPD and Examination Center in Pasay City is now in the works in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
As PRC observes its 45th founding anniversary, the week-long celebration will be filled with festivities for the PRC employees, the Professional Regulatory Boards, and the Accredited Professional Organizations, such as livelihood trainings, medical and dental services, beauty and wellness services, financial literacy seminars, bazaar, and family day, among others.
The highlight of this celebration is the PRC Awards Night where the PRC will confer the Outstanding Professionals of the Year, Outstanding Professional Regulatory Board, Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization, and the Eric C. Nubla Excellence Awards. This is to honor and give recognition to the Filipino professionals, professional regulatory boards and professional organizations for their exemplary achievements and contributions toward the advancement of the practice of the various regulated professions in the country. The affair will be held on the evening June 21, 2018 at the Manila Hotel.
PRC acknowledges the unwavering support and cooperation of the Philippine Association of Professional Regulatory Board, Inc. (PAPRB), Philippine Federation of Professional Associations (PFPA) and Foundation for Outstanding Professionals (FOP) under the leadership of their respective presidents Ar. Robert S. Sac, Engr. Ranulfo Feliciano and Engr. Rodolfo Peñalosa.
With all these accomplishments, PRC recognizes its past Chairpersons and Commissioners who paced the direction and helped mold the Commission into what it is today. Truly, they are the vanguards of our mission and vision that led us to stand stronger, to reach wider, and to serve better.
Mabuhay ang PRC @ 45!