Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HoUSEBILLNo.     9957
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Introduced by REP. MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ, MNSA
EXPIANATORY NOTE
The role of professionals in the country is challenging,  requiring a specific
knowledge base and adherence to ethical standards and relevant government rules and
regulations. Consequently, the public heavily relies on professionals for services that
exceed typical duties.
As of October 2o22, the Professional Regulation Commission ("PRC") served
more   than   4,9oo,ooo   (4.9   million)   professionals  from  46  various   regulated
professions. The said commission continues to cater to hundreds of thousands of
aspiring professionals who take the licensure examinations every year.1
As of 2o23, the PRC had one (1) central office, 14 regional branches, 21 satellite
service centers, and four (4) offices located in One-Stop Service Center for Overseas
Filipino Workers.
Currently,   the   Certificates   of   Registration   ("CORs")   and   Professional
Identification Cards ("PICs") issued by the PRC are valid for only three (3) years, and
renewal is required every three (3) years. The short validity period of CORs and PICs
poses a challenge to professionals, particularly due to the limited number of PRC
offlces available to serve them. 2
1 Professional Regulation Commission. (n.d.). Hisforu. httDs: / /www.prc.gov.Dh/historv
2      Professional      Regulation      Commission.      (n.d.).      PRO     Ftequerifty     Asked      Ouestr.ous.
httDs://www.Drc.£ov.Dh/Drc-freauentlv-asked-auestious


To address the abovementioned challenge, this bill extends the validity period
of CORs and PICs from three (3) years to five (5) years. It likewise mandates the PRC
and  its  relevant  departments  to   develop  and  maintain  the  necessary  system
enhancement to  operationalize the provisions  of this bill,  and finalize the revised
assessment of the annual registration fees.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
NI:rfe,rA
6th District, Province of Negros Occidental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.   9957
Introduced by REP. MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ, MNSA
AN Aor
EXTENDING THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF THE CERTIFICATE 0F
REGISTRATION AND PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD ISSUED
BY THE PROFESSIONAL REGUIATION COMMISSION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be i.t enacted by the Senate and the House Of Representarfues Of the Philippines in
Congress assembled :
1                   Section 1. Short H£Ze. This Act sham be -known as the "Extension of validity of
2      PRC COR and PIC Act".
3
4                   Sec.  2. Deczarafro7i o/ Pozi.ey. The state recognizes professionals in fields of
5      activity  where  public  protection  against  incompetence  is  necessary  and  where
6      adherence to standards is crucial for maintaining public confidence. Toward this end,
7      the state shall appreciate the steadfast and dedicated service of  professionals to the
8      public by extending the validity period of the certificate of Registration ("COR") and
9      Professional  Identification  Card  ("Plc")  issued  by  the  Professional  Regulation
10      Commission ("PRC").
11
12                  Sec. 3.  Couerage. This Act shall cover the coRs and pICs issued by the pRc to
13      professionals,  irrespective  of whether  they  have  already been  issued  or  pending
14      issuance.
15


1                  See,.  4.  Extension  Of  Validity  Period  Of  Certificate  Of  Registrc[hon  c[nd
2      Pro/essl.o7iaJ Jdenft/icafl.o7i card. The validity period of the coRs and pICs issued by
3      the PRC shall be extended from three (3) years to five (5) years, provided that the rules
4      and regulations of the pRc are adhered to. The extension of the validity period for
5      existing  CORs  and  PICs  shall  not  affect  the  initial  registration  and  renewal  fees
6      imposedbythepRC.
7
8                 See.   5.  Proifessional  Regulc[tion  Commission  System  Enhancement  cmd
9      Reut.si.on a/Assessment o/A7t"az Regt.sfrofroJi Fees. The relevant department/s of
1o      the   PRC   shall   develop   and   maintain   the   necessary   system   enhancement   to
11      operationalize this Act. The PRC shall finalize the revised assessment of the annual
12      registration fees within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
13
14                   Sec. 6. JmpJemenn'7ig RttJes a7td ReguJcin.o7zs. Within sixty (6o) days from the
15      effectivity of this Act, the PRC shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for its
16      effective implementation.
17
18                   Sec. 7.  Approp7iczfl.o7is. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
19      this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
20
21                    Sec.   8.   Sepc[rclbt'J1'fty   CJcluse.   If   any   provision   of  this   Act   is   declared
22      unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full
23      forceandeffect.
24
25                   Sec. 9. Repec[Z1.ng aczuse. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters
26      of instruction, and administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions
27      of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
28
29                   See.1o. E#ectr.LJi.rty.  Notwithstanding the  non-issuance of the implementing
30      rules and regulations, this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
31      the official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,