Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6461

Introduced by REP. RODEL M. BATOCABE, REP. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr.,
REP. CHRISTOPHER S. CO.

AN ACT
EXEMPTING OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS FROM THE CONTINUING
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENT IN THE RENEWAL OF THEIR
LICENSE UNDER THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE RA 10912 OR THE “CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2016”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to exempt overseas Filipino workers from the mandatory requirement to
undergo Continuing Professional Development as a condition to the renewal of their license under
Professional Regulation Commission.

In 2016, an estimated 2.2 million OFWs worked abroad at any time during the period of
April to September. Many of these OFWs are licensed professionals who will be away for a long
period of time in order to earn enough for their family here in the Philippines. The total remittance
sent by our OFWs in the first half of 2017 was estimated at around Php783 billion.

OFWs are vital to the economy and are rightfully considered our “hagong hayani.” In the
course of their work in foreign countries, OFWs who are licensed professionals are required to
comply with several requirements and competencies by their emplayer or the hast country. This
means that OFW professionals are, during their stay abroad, already obligated to undergo
professional development in relation to their work.

We should therefore not add unnecessary burden to our OFWs by exempting them from
the requirement of the Republic Act 10912 otherwise known as the “Continuing Professional
Development Act of 2016.”

For one, as mentioned above, they are already being obligated to undergo professional
development by their employers abroad. Also, since they are outside the jurisdiction of the PRC
during the period they work abroad, they should not be subject to the mandatory requirement of
Continuing Professional Development under RA 10912.

If enacted into law, this bill will reduce the burden on our OFWS who are licensed
professionals by granting them exemption from the requirement of Sec 10, Art III of RA 10912
which provides that Continuing Professional Development is a mandatory requirement in the
renewal of their licenses with the Professional Regulation Commission.


Essentially, it is our duty to our licensed professional OFWs who have contributed so much
to our economy to grant them the proposed exemption

Reston Jr. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

7
Rt |. BATOCABE


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

6461

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by REP. RODEL M. BATOCABE, REP. ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr.,
REP. CHRISTOPHER S. CO

AN ACT
EXEMPTING OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS FROM THE CONTINUING
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENT IN THE RENEWAL OF THEIR
LICENSE UNDER THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION, AMEN! 7
FOR THE PURPOSE RA 10912 OR THE “CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2016”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 10 of Republic Act 10912, otherwise known as the “Continuing Professional

Development Act of 2016,” is hereby amended to read as follows

“Sec. 10. CPD as Mandatory Requirement in the Renewal of Professional License
and Accreditation System for the Practice of Professions. — The CPD is hereby
made as a mandatory requirement in the renewal of the PICs of all registered and
licensed professionals under the regulation of the PRC. Provided, that licensed
professionals who are Overseas Filipino Workers shall be, for the period of
their stay in a foreign country for purposes of employment, be exempted from

the requirement under this section.”

SECTION 2. Separability Clause ~ Should any provision of this Act be declared unconstitutional,

the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.


SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. — All other existing laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act

are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5, Effectivity ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the completion of
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,