Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2529

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARISSA “DEL MAR” P. MAGSINO

AN ACT
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS) FROM THE
COVERAGE OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10912, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2016

Our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have endured leaving their family and
loved ones for the promise of a better life. They have made the heroic choice of saying
their goodbyes to secure a future that their families can hold on to.

In their quest to gain better opportunities and better pay abroad, they spend most
of their days in a year serving their employment contracts. This is the reality of their
situation. As they fulfill their employment obligations, they are enriching themselves with
necessary experiences and learnings — albeit in countries foreign to their own.

No one could contest that as they practice their professions abroad, they are not
improving their competence. It’s only a different setting, but the work they do remains
the same. They cannot be questioned whether they are continuously enhancing their
capabilities and capacities.

With the passage of Republic Act No. 10912, otherwise known as the “Continuing
Professional Development Act of 2016”, our dear OFWs have been subjected to redundant
requirements which add to their burdens. Under the said law, OFWs, whose employment
setup make it impossible for them to comply with the requirements of the law, are
unreasonably expected to fulfill them, have repeatedly asked to be exempted from the law.
In 2019, the Professional Regulation Commission issued Resolution No. 2019-1146 which
exempted OFWs from the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement


during the transition period within which the PRC and stakeholders are expected to be
enabled to complete the antecedent requirements for the efficient implementation of the
provisions of the CPD Act of 2016.

This humble representation, however, opines that the said exemption during the
transition period is not sufficient. OFWs continue to equip themselves with competencies
and abilities as they practice their respective professions abroad. They should not be
unreasonably burdened by requirements which serve only to unduly distress them,
instead of truly serving the purpose for which they have been written.

It is now in the hands of legislators like this representation to recalibrate the laws
to make them dynamic and responsive to the realities on the ground. We cannot allow
additional burdens to OFWs who are already working so hard miles away from home,
while contributing to the growth of the country’s economy. We must admit that their
remittances have allowed the government to continue to provide relevant programs.
Therefore, we cannot turn a blind eye to the realities that besiege them — especially those
which we can actually offer our help to.

This proposed measure seeks to exempt Qualified OFWs from the CPD
requirements. This is the most apt response to the clamor for exemption. OFWs have
already explained their case which merit our swift action.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is most earnestly sought. >
it haf Man’ Wy §

[SSA “DEL MAR” P. MAGSINO


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2529

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARISSA “DEL MAR” P. MAGSINO

AN ACT
EXEMPTING QUALIFIED OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS) FROM THE
COVERAGE OF 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 Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10912 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec.3. Definition of Terms. — The following terms shall be defined under
this Act:

XXX.

(X) QUALIFIED OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWS) REFERS TO FILIPINO PROFESSIONAL WHO
ARE ENGAGED IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR
PROFESION OUTSIDE THE PHILIPPINES WITH A
SERVICE CONTRACT OF A LEAST THREE (3) YEARS OR
HAS BEEN PRACTICING THEIR PROFESSION OUTSIDE
OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3)
CONSECUTIVE YEARS.”

Sec. 2. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 10912 is hereby amended to read as follows:


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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, EXCEPT WITH
REGARD TO QUALIFIED OVERSEAS FILIPINO
WORKERS AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2, PARAGRAPH (X)
OF THIS ACT.

A PROFESSIONAL WHO IS PRACTICING OR WHO
INTENDS TO PRACTICE HIS/HER PROFESSION IN
COUNTRIES COVERED BY BILATERAL, REGIONAL OR
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS IN WHICH CPD IS A
RECOGNITION AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT,
SUCH AS THE ASEAN MUTUAL RECOGNITION
AGREEMENTS (MRAs), SHALL COMPLY WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT.

Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or
part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

Sec. 4. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,