MARCH 4, 2016

NR # 4129

House passes on 2nd reading proposed

Continuing Professional Education Act
In support of continuously enhancing the competence, knowledge and skills of the
countrys professionals to help in national development, the House of Representatives
recently approved on second reading a proposal to strengthen the Continuing
Professional Education Program of the government.
Passed by the House was House Bill 6423 or the proposed Continuing Professional
Education Act, which substituted HB 4229 primarily authored by Rep. Rufus B.
Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and his younger brother Rep. Maximo B.
Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao).
Continuing Professional Education is vital and necessary to enhance and maintain
high professional and occupational, ethical and technical standards in the practice of the
profession, said the elder Rodriguez.
The bill was endorsed for plenary approval by the Committee on Higher and
Technical Education chaired by Rep. Roman T. Romulo (Lone District, Pasig City) and
Committee on Appropriations chaired by Rep. Isidro T. Ungab (3rd District, Davao City).
Rodriguez said Article XII, Section 14 of the Constitution provides that the
sustained development of a reservoir of national talents consisting of Filipino scientists,
entrepreneurs, professionals, managers, high-level manpower, and skilled workers and
craftsmen in all fields shall be promoted by the State.
In line with this constitutional mandate, Rodriguez said Republic Act 8981 created
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to administer, implement, and enforce
regulatory policies of the national government with respect to the regulation and licensing
of the various professions and occupations under its jurisdiction, including the
enhancement and maintenance of professional and occupational standards and ethics, and
the enforcement of pertinent rules and regulations.
Moreover, the Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) which are under the
administrative supervision of the PRC are tasked to monitor the conditions affecting the
practice or occupation under their respective jurisdictions and whenever necessary, adopt
such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement of the profession or
occupation and/or the maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards,
said Rodriguez, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsa Moro Basic Law.
House Bill 6423 declares it is the State policy to promote and upgrade the practice
of professions in the country. Towards this end, the State shall institute measures that will

continuously improve the competence of the professionals in accordance with the

international standards of practice, thereby, ensuring their contribution in uplifting the
general welfare, economic growth and development of the nation.
It refers to the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) as the inculcation,
assimilation, and acquisition of knowledge, skills, proficiency, and ethical and moral
values, after the initial registration of a professional, that raise and enhance the
professionals technical skills and competence.
It defines a professional as a person who is registered and licensed to practice a
regulated profession in the Philippines and who holds a valid Certificate of Registration
and Professional Identification Card from the PRC.
There shall be formulated and implemented CPE Programs in each of the regulated
programs to enhance and upgrade the competencies and qualifications of professionals for
the practice of their professions pursuant to the Philippine Qualifications Framework
(PQF), the ASEAN Qualification Reference Framework (AQRF), and the ASEAN Mutual
Recognition Arrangements (AMRAs).
The CPE shall also ensure maintenance of core competencies and development of
advanced and new competencies in order to respond to national, regional, and
international labor markets; and recognize and ensure the contributions of professionals in
uplifting the general welfare, economic growth and development of the nation.
The CPE program shall include: formal, informal and non-formal learning; selfdirected learning; trainings and seminars to enhance the practice of profession; conduct of
conventions by accredited professional organizations; academic post-graduate degree
program; self-directed learning package such as the preparation and authorship of
technical papers, teaching manuals and books; technical tours and workshops; online
learning activities; professional exchange program.
The over-all implementation of the CPE Program shall be undertaken by the PRC
and PRBs.
The bill is co-authored by Romulo, Ungab, Reps. Pangalian M. Balindong, Evelina
G. Escudero, Leah S. Paquiz, Anthony G. del Rosario, Monique Yazmin Q. Lagdameo,
Eulogio Amang R. Magsaysay, Mariano U. Piamonte, Jr. and Scott Davies S. Lanete,
M.D. (30) rbb