THE House of Representatives on Monday overwhelmingly passed on third and final reading the measure enhancing the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of Filipino professionals as an integral component of career progression and specialization programs.

Approved on the strength of 258 affirmative votes against zero and three abstentions during plenary session Monday was House Bill (HB) No. 7744, which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) No.10912, also known as the “Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016”.

The bill specifically seeks the revise Sections 3, 5, 10, 12, 13, and 14 of the existing law. Section 15 of RA No.10912 is renumbered to Section 16 and is also given a new language.

Meanwhile, the measure creates new Sections 10-A, 14-4, and 15. Under HB No. 7744, career progression refers to the process of developing or moving towards a more advanced state in a person’s qualifications, job, title, position, or profession. It outlines the route that one may follow in order to reach identified career development goals.

On the other hand, career progression and specialization program and credit accumulation and transfer system (CPSP-CATS)–a key component of the bill–refers to the body that provides technical support to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Council and the board of each profession in the formulation and implementation of the CPSP-CATS, such as program and learning outcomes for every identified qualification title of the profession and recommends to the council the formulation and implementation of the necessary programs and policies to be implemented by the CPSP-CATS.

“A knife gets rusty and blunted when kept in the drawer and unused for an extended period of time. Through this measure, we prevent our professionals from becoming rusty and blunted by continuously honing them via CPD,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said.

Some of the principal authors of the bill are Reps. LRay Villafuerte, Mannix Dalipe, Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., Brian Yamsuan, Sonny Lagon, Daphne Lagon, Ralph Recto, Toby Tiangco, Salvador Pleyto, Joey Salceda, Stella Luz Quimbo, Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva, Migz Villafuerte, Bernadette Herrera, Hori Horibata, Rufus Rodriguez, France Castro, Arlene Brosas, Jam Baronda, Gus Tambunting, and others.

The bill gives much emphasis on CPD, which is defined as the acquisition of advanced knowledge, skills, and ethical values in a post-licensure specialization or in an inter- or multidisciplinary field of study, for assimilation into professional practice, [self-directed research and or lifelong learning;

The CPD Council refers to a body created to promote and ensure the continuous improvement of professionals, in accordance with national, regional, and international standards of practice;

Under the amended Section 5, it says that CPD Programs shall consist of formal and nonformal learning activities that are structured such as diploma or certificate courses, institution or company-sponsored training programs and seminars, specialty training, and online learning activities with syllabi that are related to one’s profession, and which have learning processes and outcomes such as a higher degree or which confers higher professional or trade status or skill categorization.

The revised Section 10 sets the CPD as a mandatory requirement in the updating and upgrading of knowledge, skills, values, and competencies–subject to Section 13 of this Act and the implementing guidelines to be prescribed by the CPSP-CATS for every profession.

“The CPD is hereby made a mandatory requirement in the updating and upgrading of knowledge, skills, values, and competencies. All professionals shall be required to update and upgrade their knowledge and skills by undergoing the relevant CPD Program within the allotted period,” it read.

The measure states that all professionals shall be required to obtain 45 CPD credit units every four years which shall be deemed at the compliance period.

Professionals covered by mutual recognition arrangements (MRAS) who may wish that their profession and qualifications be internationally recognized, shall comply with the required CPD units as prescribed in the MRAS, which in no case shall be less than 45 credit units.

Furthermore, HB No. 7744 provides that professionals who are required to apply for accreditation prior to the practice of their profession as provided in the relevant professional regulatory laws (PRL) shall comply with the required CPD courses.

The 45-credit unit CPD requirement also applies to professionals who wish to be issued a certificate of good standing (COGS) by their AIPO as indicated in their PRL.

During a pandemic, state of calamity, or national emergency, the PRC may temporarily suspend the compliance period for CPD requirements indefinitely or extend the end of the said compliance period to the equivalent duration of the pandemic, state of calamity, or national
emergency.

The bill states that the following shall be exempted from the CPD requirements: A) newly-licensed or registered professionals on the first renewal of their PIC within the first four years after obtaining their license; B) OFWs (overseas Filipino workers); and C) senior citizens who are not engaged in the practice of their profession, as defined under their respective regulatory laws.