NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
#eit* af Il)»
•22 JU. 28 PS 28
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 938
RECEIVE© 8V:
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
ENHANCING THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 
OF FILIPINO WORKE!TS AND PROFESSIONALS, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10912, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE “CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACT OF
2016”
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The institutionalizatio;i of the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF), or 
Republic Act No. 10968, underscores the need for lifelong learning of Filipinos. In this 
regard, programs for the mandatory continuing professional development or CPD of 
workers and professionals are encouraged for their career progression and to upgrade 
their professional qualification levels.
The CPD will also ensure the mobility and competitiveness of Filipinos, not only 
in the global labor markei but also in their professional practice and career 
development. In fact, the CPD is a recognition and eligibility requirement in bilateral, 
regional or international agreements, such as in the ASEAN Mutual Recognition 
Agreements (MRAs), that facilitate mobility and cross border practice.
However, the implementation of Republic Act No. 10912 or the CPD Law has 
been met with so much resistance from workers and professionals, most especially 
teachers, engineers accountants, physicians and nurses. In an online survey 
conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on the CPD 
implementation in 2018, ninety-five percent (95%) of respondents said that the CPD 
law should be stopped.1
1 “Anti-CPD professionals give 95% vote for repeal." August 1, 2018. Retrieved from 
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/articIe/419610/Anti-CPD-professionals-give-95-vote-for-repeal (date last 
accessed: July 27, 2022).


Unfortunately, a big part of the resistance from workers and professionals 
stems from the unwillingness and incapacity of the government to provide for the 
necessities demanded by the authentic and competitive Philippine CPD program.
The exorbitant fees, difficult requirements, confusing processes, and most of 
all, lack of accredited training providers, nullify the noble intentions of this legislation, 
rendering it instead as a heavy burden to our professional workforce. If a worker or 
professional cannot comply with the requirements of the CPD Law for Professional 
identification Card (PIC) renewal, his/her job security may be at stake.
Sadly, due to some difficult yet avoidable circumstances, the same important 
legislation has become a burden to ordinary workers and professionals. 
Circumstances make it seem like a hindrance, instead of the tool that it really is, to the 
attainment of the aspirations of our people.
Furthermore, the COVlD-19 pandemic has brought limitations to the continued 
implementation of CPD primarily due to the prohibition on mass gatherings and face- 
to-face trainings/seminars. In the post-pandemic future, however, the CPD will even 
be more necessary for the welfare and livelihood of many Filipino families. The 
implementation of CPD Programs will ensure that our professionals are not only the 
best in their fields but also equipped with knowledge, skills and attitude required in the 
“new normal.”
Thus, this measure seeks to amend Section 10 of RA 10912 to qualify the 
mandatory requirement of CPD in the renewal of the PICs of all registered and 
licensed professionals under the regulation of the PRC. Licensed professionals will be 
exemptec from the CPD requirement within five (5) years after obtaining their licenses 
and the CPD requirement will only apply for renewal of PIC after the lapse of the five 
(5)-year period. Meanwhile, OFWs shall be exempted from the CPD requirement 
during their stay in a foreign country for purposes of employment.
This bill also provides that in the event of a declaration of a state of emergency 
or state of calamity, the CPD shall be automatically suspended. The PRC shall also 
grant CPD credit units to all registered professionals who are providing essential 
services during the state of emergency or state of calamity.
This measure also seeks to amend Section 13 of RA 10912 on the credit units 
required for the renewal of PICs. Accordingly, professionals shall be required to obtain 
not more than thirty-six (36) CPD credit units within each five (5)-year compliance 
period. Under certain circumstances, the PRC and the Professional Regulatory 
Boards miay dispense with the CPD requirement for the renewal of the PIC. This 
amendment aims to extend the consideration given to OFWs to other professionals 
who may find themselves under some unusual circumstances. In addition, this 
measure also mandates that no additional fees shall be collected for PIC renewal.


Lastly, this measure seeks to amend Section 16 of the CPD Law by enjoining 
all concerned government agencies and private firms and organizations employing 
professionals to include CPD as part of their human resource development plan and 
program Likewise, Professional Regulatory Boards and their stakeholders are 
encouraged to take a pro-active role in identifying institutions and/or establishing 
programs for CPD.
In summary, this bill seeks to ensure that our workers and professionals are 
given the necessary provisions and avenues to empower them towards the realization 
of the dreams enshrined al the conception and implementation of the CPD Law. 
Indeed, ihe enhancement of the CPD Law will warrant, sustain, and support the 
Filipino professional’s desire for excellence and distinction, for personal and 
professional development, and consequently, for social and economic recovery after 
COVID-19.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
TI M. 23 f 5 28
received BY;
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 938
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
ENHANCING THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 
OF FILIPINO WORKERS AND PROFESSIONALS, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10912, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE “CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACT OF
2016”
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 10912, otherwise known as the
2 
“Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016,” is hereby amended to read as
3 
follows:
4
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“SEC. 10. CPD as Mandatory Requirement in the Renewai of
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Professionai License and Accreditation System for the Practice of
1 
Professions. - The CPD is hereby made as a mandatory requirement
8 
in the renewal of the PICs of all registered and licensed professionals
9 
under the regulation of the PRC; PROViDED, THAT REGISTERED
10 
AND LICENSED PROFESSIONALS ARE EXEMPTED FROM
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COMPLIANCE WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE (5) YEARS AFTER
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OBTAINING THEIR LICENSES; PROViDED FURTHER, THAT
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FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CPD SHALL ONLY BE A BASIS TO
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DENY RENEWAL OF PICs AFTER THE LAPSE OF THE
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COMPLIANCE PERIOD PROVIDED HEREIN; PROVIDED,
16 
HOWEVER, THAT LICENSED PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE
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OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS) SHALL BE EXEMPTED
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FROM THE REQUIREMENT UNDER THIS SECTION FOR THE
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PERIOD OF THEIR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT; PROVIDED,
20 
FINALLY, THAT IN THE EVENT OF A DECLARATION OF A STATE
21 
OF EMERGENCY OR STATE OF CALAMITY, THE CPD SHALL BE


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AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED, AND THE PRC SHALL GRANT 
CPD CREDIT UNITS TO ALL REGISTERED PROFESSIONALS WHO 
ARE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES DURING THE STATE OF 
EMERGENCY OR S ATE OF CALAMITY.
SEC. 2. New Sections 13-A to C are hereby inserted to read as follows:
“SEC. 13-A. REQUIRED CPD UNITS; WHEN TO OBTAIN THE 
REQUIRED CPD CREDIT UNITS. - PROFESSIONALS SHALL ONLY 
BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A MAXIMUM OF THIRTY-SIX (36) CPD 
CREDIT UNITS ON lE EVERY FIVE YEARS, WHICH SHALL BE 
DEEMED AS ONE (1) COMPLIANCE PERIOD.
SEC. 13-B. PERSONS EXEMPT FROM CPD REQUIREMENT. - 
NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 
AND 12 OF THIS ACT, THE PRC AND, THE PRBs SHALL HAVE THE 
DISCRETION TO EXEMPT CERTAIN PERSONS FROM COMPLYING 
WITH THE CPD Rl QUIREMENT PROVIDED UNDER THIS ACT; 
PROVIDED, THAT THE FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED CPD 
CREDIT UNITS IS SOLELY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE 
CONCERNED AGENCY/IES OR PERSON/S RESPONSIBLE FOR 
PROPERLY IMPLEMENTING THE CPD PROGRAM IN THE 
LOCATION AND PROFESSION OF THE CONCERNED 
PROFESSIONALS; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE 
PROFESSIONAL HAS EXERCISED DUE DILIGENCE IN 
COMPLYING WITH THE CPD REQUIREMENT CONSIDERING THE 
CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE PERSON/S OR AGENCY/IES RESPONSIBLE SHALL BE 
ADMINISTRATIVELY LIABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RELEVANT 
LAWS FOR THE FAILURE TO PROPERLY IMPLEMENT THE CPD 
PROGRAM, UPON COMPLIANCE WITH DUE PROCESS.
SEC. 13-C. FEES FOR PIC RENEWAL. - IN THE PROCESSING OF 
DOCUMENTS FOR PIC RENEWAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS 
ACT, NO FEES SHALL BE COLLECTED BY PRC OTHER THAN 
REASONABLE FEES FOR THE VERIFICATION OF REQUIRED 
DOCUMENTS AND FOR THE PROCESSING AND PRINTING OF THE 
PRC ID.
SEC. 3. A new Section 16-B is hereby inserted to read as follows:
SECTION 16-B. CPD AS PART OF THE HUMAN RESOURCE 
DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROGRAM OF COMPANIES AND 
GOVERNMENT OFFICES. - HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 
PLANS OF ALL PRIVATE COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT 
OFFICES AND SCHOOLS SHALL BE GEARED TOWARDS 
ASSISTING THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES 
FROM COMPLYING WITH THE CPD REQUIREMENT UNDER THIS 
ACT. THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARDS (PRBs) AND


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THEIR RESPECTIVE STAKEHOLDERS SHALL ALSO TAKE A PRO­
ACTIVE ROLE IN IDENTIFYING INSTITUTIONS AND/OR 
ESTABLISHING PROGRAMS FOR CPD. IN THE EVENT THAT 
SEMINARS AND/Oil TRAININGS UNDER THE CPD ARE NOT 
ACCESSIBLE AND/OR AVAILABLE, THE PRC SHALL PROVIDE A 
REASONABLE TRANSITION PERIOD TO DEVELOP THE 
NECESSARY STANDARDS, PROCESSES, CAPACITY AND 
INFRASTRUCTURE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE 
SEMINAR AND/OR TRAINING, WHILE MINIMIZING THE COST AND 
INCONVENIENCE TO PROFESSIONALS COVERED BY THE CPD 
REQUIREMENT.
IN ADDITION TO THE PENALTIES PRESCRIBED IN EXISTING 
LAWS, ANY COMPANY THAT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE 
FOREGOING SHALL BE METED WITH A FINE OF UP TO FIVE 
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00) DEPENDING ON THE 
SEVERITY AND FREQUENCY OF FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE 
REQUIREMENT UNDER THIS SECTION. IN CASE OF CONTINUOUS 
OR BLATANT DISREGARD OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS 
SECTION DESPITE NOTICE, THE PENALTY OF SUSPENSION OR 
REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AND/OR 
PERMIT TO OPERATE MAY ALSO BE IMPOSED.
SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the effeciivity of this Act, the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC), in consultation 
with the Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs), Accredited Integrated Professional 
Organizations or Accredited Professional Organizations in all professions, and other 
relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively carry 
out the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be 
affected thereby.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, ordinances, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,