Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 3980 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative KAREN HOPE F. GARCIA   
_________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Professionals play an important role in nation-building, providing essential services 
that underpin the safety, health, welfare, and development of our communities. 
Accordingly, Section 14, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to 
promote the sustained development of Filipino professionals. The Professional Regulation 
Commission (PRC) was created precisely for this purpose: to regulate and supervise the 
practice of the professions, to ensure competence and competitiveness of Filipino 
professionals, and to protect the public through a reliable system of professional licensure. 
Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the “PRC Modernization Act of 2000,” 
empowers the PRC not only to regulate and license the practice of the professions but also to 
create regional and satellite offices to efficiently deliver its services. At present, the PRC 
Regional Office in Cebu only has two (2) satellite offices located at Robinsons Galleria Cebu 
and SM City Cebu, both of which are situated in Cebu City. For professionals and licensure 
applicants residing in the Municipality of Pinamungajan, it takes at least two (2) hours of travel 
to reach these service centers. This situation poses not only logistical difficulties but also 
additional costs in terms of time, transportation, and lost opportunities. 
The demand for PRC services continues to rise with the increasing number of 
graduates in Central Visayas. According to 2024 data from the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), a total of 67,934 students graduated from higher education institutions in 
Region VII during Academic Year 2022–20231. This figure is composed of 33,215 graduates 
from private higher education institutions, 27,764 from state universities and colleges, and 
6,955 from local universities and colleges. This large number of graduates underscores the 
urgent need to expand PRC’s service capacity in the region. 
The growing demand for PRC services arising from an increasing population and 
number of college graduates thus necessitate the establishment of an additional PRC Satellite 
Office in the Province of Cebu. 
1 “2024 Higher Education Facts and Figures.” Commission on Higher Education, 2024, 
https://ched.gov.ph/2024-higher-education-facts-and-figures/.  
August 26, 2025
10:40 am


This measure is a manifestation of our continuing duty to ensure accessible, 
responsive, and people-centered governance. It is also consistent with the constitutional 
directive to promote the professional development of Filipinos as a key driver of national 
progress. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
Rep. KAREN HOPE F. GARCIA 
      3rd District, Province of Cebu 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 3980 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative KAREN HOPE F. GARCIA      
_________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION (PRC) SATELLITE 
OFFICE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PINAMUNGAJAN, PROVINCE OF CEBU, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:     
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. —  It is the policy of the State, as enshrined in 
Section 14, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, to sustain the development of a 
reservoir of national talents consisting of Filipino scientists, entrepreneurs, professionals, 
managers, high-level technical manpower and skilled workers and craftsmen in all fields.  
Section 2. Establishment of a PRC Satellite Office - There shall be established, 
under the supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), a satellite office in 
the Municipality of Pinamungajan, Province of Cebu.  
Section 3. Appropriations. – The PRC Chairman shall immediately include in its 
program the establishment, operation and maintenance of the PRC satellite office in the 
Municipality of Pinamungajan, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
Section 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Professional Regulation Commission, in consultation with the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the concerned local government unit, 
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this 
Act. 
Section 5. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,