OVER 1.2 million Filipino professionals are expected to benefit from a House-approved measure extending the validity of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) licenses from three years to five years, according to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III.
The Speaker said that House Bill No. 8876—which seeks to amend existing provisions governing the renewal of Professional Identification Cards (PICs) issued by the PRC—would help ease the recurring financial and administrative burdens faced by professionals who must regularly spend time and money renewing their licenses.
“Ang ating mga propesyonal ay kabilang sa pinakamahalagang puwersa ng ating lipunan. Sila ang mga guro, nurse, engineer, accountant, doktor, at iba pang propesyonal na araw-araw na nagsisilbi at tumutulong sa pagpapatakbo ng ating bayan,” Dy said.
“Sa pagpapalawig ng validity ng kanilang PRC licenses mula tatlong taon tungong limang taon, mababawasan ang paulit-ulit na gastos, abala, at oras na inuubos nila sa renewal process. Practical at makataong hakbang ito para suportahan ang ating workforce.”
Based on PRC data, there are currently 1,259,264 registered professionals in the country, with 1,195,936 or approximately 95% already holding valid Professional Identification Cards.
Among the sectors expected to benefit the most from the measure are the following valid license holders: 562,369 professional teachers; 156,023 nurses; 111,692 criminologists; 49,458 civil engineers; 37,393 medical technologists; 24,700 physicians; 24,066 psychometricians; 22,677 mechanical engineers; 21,110 registered electrical engineers; and 20,529 certified public accountants.
Dy said extending the validity period would also help decongest renewal systems and allow professionals to focus more on their work and continuing professional development instead of frequent compliance requirements.
“Hindi dapat maging dagdag pasanin ang proseso ng renewal lalo na para sa mga propesyunal na abala na sa pagtatrabaho at paglilingkod. We want government processes to become more efficient, more responsive, and more considerate of the realities faced by ordinary Filipinos,” stressed the Speaker from Isabela.
He added that the House remains committed to passing measures that improve ease of doing business, streamline government transactions, and support Filipino workers and professionals.
“Nakatuon po tayo sa ating hangarin na gawing mas magaan ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan habang pinananatili ang professionalism at mataas na standards sa iba’t ibang larangan.”
The House of Representatives last Wednesday approved HB 8876 on third and final reading. The counterpart version of the bill is still pending in the Senate.
