Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Department of Labor and Employment is mandated to promote gainful 
employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect workers and 
promote their welfare and maintain industrial peace. 
The Professional Regulation Commission was first created as a national 
government agency by Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 223 dated June 22, 1973, 
signed by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, mandated to enforce the laws 
regulating the various professions. It was previously called the Office of the Board 
of Examiners, which was created by Republic Act No. 546 on June 17, 1950, 
under the aegis of the Civil Service Commission. 
The PRC became operational on January 4, 1974. The office was attached to the 
Office of the President for general direction and coordination. On December 9, 
1974, the Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. No. 223 were 
promulgated, paving the way for standardization of rules and procedures for the 
thirty-three (33) professions then under the CSC. 
On December 5, 2000, Republic Act No. 8981 otherwise known as the PRC 
Modernization Act of 2000 was enacted. The Implementing Rules and 
Regulations were adopted on February 15, 2001 through PRC Resolution No. 1 
series of 2001. With the passing of RA 8981, the Commission exercises three 
functions: 1) executive functions; 2) quasi-legislative functions; and 3) quasi-
judicial functions. It had also set its new thrusts and priorities such as 
customer-focused service, modernization through full computerization and re-
structuring, integrity of licensure examinations, good governance, protection and 
promotion of Filipino professionals and support to national development 
priorities. 
September 30, 2022
4:56 pm
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In fulfillment of its legal mandate, the PRC performs two important functions, 
which are: 1) to conduct and administer licensure examinations to aspiring 
professionals, and 2) to regulate and supervise the practice of the professions 
exercised in partnership with the forty-three (43) Professional Regulatory Boards 
(PRBs) in the fields of health, business, education, social sciences, engineering 
and technology. The PRBs govern their respective professions’ practice and 
ethical standards and accredit the professional organization representing the 
professionals. 
On September 11, 2006, as supplemented by Executive Order No. 565-A, PRC 
was attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for 
administrative supervision and control. Being an attached agency of the DOLE, 
the PRC works closely to the mandate of its mother agency. 
The PRC serves more than 4.3 million professionals from 43 various regulated 
professions and the hundreds of thousands of aspiring professionals who take 
the licensure examinations every year. Thus, PRC stakeholders include the 
professionals, would-be professionals, accredited professional organizations, 
foreign professionals seeking temporary permit to practice their professions in 
the country, schools and academe, and other government agencies. 
To better carry out its mandate and in order to implement the PRC 
Modernization Act, the PRC was given approval by the Department of Budget 
and Management (DBM) on April 20, 2013 to implement a reorganization of its 
organizational structure. 
On June 8, 2016, the new Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern 
(OSSP) pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 8981 was approved by DBM. The 
Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action (NOSCA) formalizing 
the approved OSSP of PRC Central Office, effective not earlier than June 8, 
2016, has been transmitted by DBM on October 10, 2016. 
 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Professional 
Regulation Commission (PRC), to ensure that the country fulfills its 
commitments to determine the competence of professionals deliberately, 
scientifically and consistently through the provision of professional standards 
and judicious issuance of professional license. 
 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
 


 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION (PRC), INCREASING 
AND REORGANIZING ITS ADMINISTRATION, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the state to securing for the nation a reliable, trustworthy and 
progressive system of determining the competence of professionals by credible 
and valid licensure examinations and standards of professional practice that are 
globally recognized. 
The state shall foster the organization and functions of the Department of Labor 
and Employment in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order No. 126, 
as amended, the Labor Code of the Philippines, and other relevant and 
pertinent legislations. 
The Department shall have exclusive authority in the administration and 
enforcement of labor and employment laws and such other laws as specifically 
assigned to it or to the Secretary of Labor and Employment. 
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The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five Hundred 
Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and administration of the 
Professional Regulation Commission shall be chargeable against funds for the 
purpose and other sources recommended by the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the Professional Regulation 
Commission shall be included in the budget proposals under the Department of 
Labor and Employment (DOLE). 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
PRC MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby created 
the Professional Regulation Commission Modernization Fund to be used 
exclusively for the Professional Regulation Commission Modernization Program. 
The Professional Regulation Commission Modernization Fund shall be 
administered by the Secretary of the DOLE in accordance with existing 
government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DOLE shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the Professional 
Regulation Commission Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the 
Office of the President and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Labor and 
Employment of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  


Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Professional Regulation Commission shall 
continue to develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities 
to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
7. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
8. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
9. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
10. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,