SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

RECEI i i:
SENATE —fK-

S.B. No. 1817

“18 MAY 23, AIO 244

Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10912, OR THE
“CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ACT OF 2016”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016 (CPD Act)
was enacted with the intention of improving the competence and
ensuring the growth of all professionals in our country. In the two years
since the law’s enactment, however, there have been numerous
complaints from professionals in various sectors—architects, real estate
brokers, teachers, nurses—regarding the onerous requirements imposed
by the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) and the Professional
Regulatory Boards (PRBs). One poll conducted by the PRC itself
showed that 95% of the professionals surveyed favored the law’s
complete repeal.'

In view of these continuous complaints, this bill amends the law by
inserting limits on the requirements that may be imposed on

SUNSTAR PHILIPPINES, “Anti-CPD professionals give 95% vote for repeal,” April 21, 2018,
available at: http://www.sunstar.com ph/article/419610/.



professionals who are required to comply with Continuing Professional
Development (CPD). First, newly-minted professionals are exempt from
CPD compliance for the first five years after obtaining their licenses.
Second, no professionals shall be required to obtain the necessary credits
more than once every five years. Third, in no case may the PRC or PRBs
require more than thirty-six (36) credits for each compliance period.
Fourth, failure to comply with CPD shall only be basis to deny renewal
of a license after the lapse of the five-year compliance period.

Acquiring a professional license is an arduous process that
involves years of study and having to hurdle difficult exams. The CPD
Act was intended to keep our professionals updated and their skills
sharp. It was never Congress’ intention to make it unduly burdensome
for them to practice their professions. While the PRC has attempted to
review the implementation of the law several times, it is apparent that
unless limits are inserted into the law itself, there is no assurance that the
main complaints—unreasonable credit requirements, the burden on time
and money—will be adequately addressed.

For the foregoing reasons, speedy passage of this measure is

earnestly sought.
KY, or eR
AQUILINO “KOKO” PIMENTEL Ii


be Soran.

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

es
SENATE - —

S.B.No.1817

“18 HAY 23. AIO -45

Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10912, OR THE
“CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ACT OF 2016”

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

SECTION 1. — Section 10 of Republic Act No. 10912 (R.A.
10912) 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: REGISTERED AND
LICENSED PROFESSIONALS ARE EXEMPTED
FROM COMPLIANCE WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE
YEARS AFTER FIRST OBTAINING THEIR
LICENSES; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT: FAILURE
TO COMPLY WITH CPD SHALL ONLY BE BASIS TO
DENY RENEWAL OF PICS AFTER THE LAPSE OF

Page | of 3



THE COMPLIANCE PERIOD PROVIDED IN THIS
ACT.”

SEC. 2. — Two new sections are hereby inserted after Section 13
of R.A. 10912, which shall read as follows:

“SEC. 13-A. — IN NO CASE SHALL PROFESSIONALS
BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN CPD CREDITS MORE
OFTEN THAN ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS, WHICH
SHALL BE DEEMED ONE COMPLIANCE PERIOD.

SEC. 13-B. — IN NO CASE SHALL PROFESSIONALS
BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN MORE THAN THIRTY-
SIX (36) CPD CREDITS WITHIN EACH FIVE-YEAR
COMPLIANCE PERIOD.”

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Philippine Regulatory
Commission, in coordination with the Professional Regulatory Boards,
Accredited Integrated Professional Organizations or Accredited
Professional Organizations in all professions, and all stakeholders, shall
promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act, or
part thereof, is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or
any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, or rule or regulation, or
part thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

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1 SEC 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen
2 (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or two (2)
3. newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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