Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGTHEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1395
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the objectives of the envisioned ASEAN Economic Community is to
facilitate movement of business persons, skilled labors and talents in the region.
As one of the founding members of the ASEAN, the Philippines must be ready to
allow the exchange and practice of professionals from ASEAN nations in our
country,

However, it may be difficult to implement provisions on labor mobility in
the country due to the Constitutional and statutory restrictions, which include
the Foreign Investment Act of 1991, the Professional Regulation Commission
Modernization Act, and the Labor Code of the Philippines.

‘This proposed legislation not only seeks to prepare the Philippines for the
full integration of the ASEAN communities but also to provide clear guidelines in
implementing foreign reciprocity. Under the bill, professionals from other
nations shall be allowed to practice in the Philippines only if the country where
they are registered also allows Filipino professionals in the same field to practice
their profession within their territorial jurisdiction on the same basis as the
citizens of such foreign country, state or territory.

‘To further strengthen the global competitiveness of Filipino professionals

and to fully prepare the country for the implementation of the ASEAN Economic
Community, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought

ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGTHEENTH CONGRESS,

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1395

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
IMPOSING RECIPROCITY AS A REQUIREMENT BEFORE ALLOWING FOREIGN
NATIONALS TO PRACTICE THEIR PROFESSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES IN
PREPARATION FOR THE ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

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

SECTION 1, Declaration of Policy. -It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State
to protect and promote the interest and well-being of every licensed Filipino
professional in the country by way of placing them in a level playing field with their
foreign counterpart and at the same time providing a policy that will foster and
provide our own professionals the chance to expand their career opportunities
both in and out of the country.

Sec. 2. Practice of profession by Foreign citizens or nationals; Requirement of
reciprocity. -A foreign subject, citizen or national may be allowed to take the
licensure examination or may be granted a certificate of registration/professional
license and professional identification card to practice any profession regulated by
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) if the state, country of which
he/she is a subject, citizen or national, specifically permits Filipino professionals
who are registered and licensed to practice in the same regulated profession in the
Philippines and who hold a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card from the PRC, to practice their profession within their national
jurisdiction on the same basis as the subjects, nationals or citizens of such foreign
country

Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -For this purpose, the PRC, in
consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other relevant agencies and stakeholders,
shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60)
days upon the enactment and effectivity of this Act and shall set the guidelines for
the monitoring of the proper implementation thereof.

Sec. 4. Separability Clause. -If any part or provisions of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force
and effect.


Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, executive orders and other
administrative issuances and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, is hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 6, Effectivitiy. -This Act shall take effect (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette and in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,