Professional Regulation Commission
Government commission in the Philippines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC; Filipino: Komisyon sa Regulasyong Pampropesyonal[3]) is a three-member commission attached to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Its mandate is to regulate and supervise the practice of professionals (except lawyers, who are handled by the Supreme Court of the Philippines) who constitute the highly skilled manpower of Philippines.[4]
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| Komisyon sa Regulasyong Pampropesyonal | |
| |
.jpg) Professional Regulation Commission Central Office in Sampaloc, Manila | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | June 22, 1973 |
| Jurisdiction | Philippines |
| Headquarters | P. Paredes corner Nicanor Reyes (Morayta) Streets, Sampaloc, Manila |
| Employees | 894 (2024)[1] |
| Annual budget | ₱1.54 billion (2021)[2] |
Agency executives |
|
Parent agency | Department of Labor and Employment |
| Website | www |
As the agency-in-charge of the professional sector, the PRC plays a strategic role in developing the corps of professionals for industry, commerce, governance, and the economy.[5]
History
Foundations of Professional Regulation (1901‒1973)
Before the country established a central agency for professional regulation, various independent boards were established between 1901 and 1950, such as:
- the Board of Medical Examiners, established on December 4, 1901, through Act No. 310[6]
- the Board of Accountancy, established on March 17, 1923, through Act No. 3105;[7] and
- the Board of Electrical Engineering Examiners, established on June 21, 1947, through Republic Act No. 184[8]
To centralize such agencies, the Office of the Board of Examiners was created on June 17, 1950, through Republic Act No. 546, under the supervision of the Civil Service Commission.[9]
Creation of the Commission (1973‒1999)
On June 22, 1973, President Ferdinand Marcos signed the Presidential Decree No. 223 on June 22, 1973, establishing the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and abolishing the Office of the Board Examiners.[5] The first PRC Commissioner, Architect Eric C. Nubla assumed office on January 2, 1974,[10] while its Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree 223 were promulgated on December 9, 1974.[10][11]
The PRC Coat-of-Arms designed by the Heraldry Commission was officially adopted on February 1, 1974.[citation needed] The PRC began issuing certificates of registration in Filipino with English translation.[citation needed]
In 1975, it saw the computerization of the database of registered professionals with the assistance of the National Computer Center.[10] On that same year, PRC began issuing computer-printed registration cards with one-year validity and starts accrediting professional organizations.[citation needed]
On December 11, 1975, President Ferdinand Marcos signed the Presidential Decree No. 839, transferring the supervision of the PRC from the Office of the President to the Civil Service Commission.[12]
Modernization (2000‒present)
The agency went a major overhaul with the enactment of the Republic Act No. 8981, known as the PRC Modernization Act of 2000, signed by President Joseph Estrada.[13] The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the act were adopted on February 15, 2001.[13]
On September 11, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the Executive Order No. 565, transferring the supervision of the PRC again from the Civil Service Commission (after more than three decades) to the Department of Labor and Employment.[14]
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act
The Republic Act No. 10912, also known as the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act, was introduced after it lapsed into law on July 21, 2016.[15] The law mandates professionals to participate in ongoing learning and training to renew their licenses.[16]
Criticism
Since its full implementation in 2017, the law has faced significant criticism from various professional sectors, with reasons ranging from the cost of applying credits to administrative burden.[17][18][19] In response to the criticisms and several legislative attempts,[20] the PRC issued Resolution No. 2019-1146 on February 7, 2019, aiming at easing the transition for professionals by significantly reducing the required credit units for license renewal and expanding the list of activities eligible for credit.[21][22]
Functions
| Executive | Administer, implements, and enforces the regulatory policies of the national government, including the maintenance of professional and occupational standards and ethics and the enforcement of the rules and regulations relative thereto. |
|---|---|
| Quasi-Judicial | Investigates cases against erring examinees and professionals. Its decisions have the force and effect of the decisions of a court of law, with the same level of authority as a Regional Trial Court. After the lapse of the period within which to file an appeal, Commission decisions become final and executory. |
| Quasi-Legislative | Formulates rules and policies on professional regulation. When published in the official gazette, these rules have the force and effect of law. |
| Reference:[23] | |
Mandate
Republic Act 8981, otherwise known as the "PRC Modernization Act Of 2000", mandates the following:[13]
- Institutionalization of centerpiece programs
- full computerization
- careful selection of Professional Regulatory Board members, and
- monitoring of school performance to upgrade quality of education
- Updating of organizational structure for operational efficiency and effectiveness;
- Strengthening of PRC's enforcement powers, including regulatory powers over foreign professionals practicing in the country;
- Authority to use income for full computerization; and
- Upgrading of compensation and allowances of Chairperson to that of a Department Secretary and those of the Commissioners to that of Undersecretary.
Regulated professions
The Commission currently exercises oversight on forty-six (46) Professional Regulatory Boards.[24] While each board were formed by distinct laws, they all exercise administrative, quasi-legislative, and quasi-judicial powers over their respective professions, subject to review and approval by the Commission.[13] Core functions include:
- Preparing licensure examination content, prescribing and revising professional course requirements[25]
- Administer oaths, authorizing the Certificates of Registration, and enforcing Code of Ethics for their respective professions[26]
- Conducting inspections of schools and related establishments for compliance with professional standards
- Investigating violations of professional laws and examine administrative cases, with the ability to suspend or revoke professional licenses[27]
| Name of Board | Category | Enabling Law(s)/Related Act(s) | Accredited Professional Organization (APO/AIPO) | Umbrella Council (according to the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations (PFPA))[29] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Agriculture | PRC Resolution No. 2000-663[30] Republic Act No. 8435[31] |
Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA)[32] | Council for the Built and Natural Environments |
| Architecture | Architecture and Design | Republic Act No. 9266[33] | United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) | Council for the Built and Natural Environments |
| Interior Design | Architecture and Design | Republic Act No. 10350[34] | Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID)[35] | Council for the Built and Natural Environments |
| Landscape Architecture | Architecture and Design | Republic Act No. 9053[36] | Philippine Association of Landscape Architects (PALA)[37] | Council for the Built and Natural Environments |
| Master Plumbing | Architecture and Design | Republic Act No. 1378[38] | National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines (NAMPAP)[39] | Council for the Built and Natural Environments |
| Accountancy | Business | Republic Act No. 9298[40] | Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)[41] | Council of Business and Management Professionals |
| Real Estate Services | Business | Republic Act No. 9646[42] | Philippine Association of Realty Consultants and Specialists (PARCS)[43] | Council of Business and Management Professionals |
| Librarianship | Communication and Information Science | Republic Act No. 9246[44] | Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) | Council of Business and Management Professionals |
| Professional Teachers | Education | Republic Act No. 7836[45] Republic Act No. 9293[46] |
Philippine Association For Teachers & Educators (Pafte), Inc.[47] | Council of Business and Management Professionals |
| Aeronautical Engineering | Engineering | Presidential Decree No. 1570[48] | Society of Aerospace Engineers of the Philippines (SAEP)[49] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering |
Engineering | Republic Act No. 10915[50] | Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE)[51] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Chemical Engineering | Engineering | Republic Act No. 9297[52] | Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE)[53] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Civil Engineering | Engineering | Republic Act No. 544[54] Republic Act No. 1582[55] |
Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE)[56] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Electrical Engineering | Engineering | Republic Act No. 7920[57] | Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE)[58] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Electronics and Communications Engineering |
Engineering | Republic Act No. 9292[59] | Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IECEP)[60] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Geodetic Engineering | Engineering | Republic Act No. 8560[61] | Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines (GEP)[62] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Mechanical Engineering | Engineering | Republic Act No. 8495[63] | Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME)[64] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Metallurgical Engineering | Engineering | Republic Act No. 10688[65] | Society of Metallurgical Engineers of the Philippines (SMEP)[66] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Mining Engineering | Engineering | Republic Act No. 4274[67] | Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM) | Philippine Technological Council |
| Marine Engineering (Naval Architecture) |
Engineering | Republic Act No. 4565[68] | Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SONAME)[69] | Philippine Technological Council |
| Sanitary Engineering | Engineering | Republic Act No. 1364[70] | Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers (PSSE) | Philippine Technological Council |
| Dentistry | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 9484[71] | Philippine Dental Association (PDA)[72] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Medical Technology | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 5527[73] | Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET)[74] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Medicine | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 2382[75] Republic Act No. 4224[76] Republic Act No. 5946[77] |
Philippine Medical Association (PMA)[78] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Midwifery | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 7392[79] | Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP) | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Nursing | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 9173[80] | Philippine Nurses Association (PNA)[81] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 10862[82] | Nutritionist-Dietitians' Association of the Philippines (NDAP)[83] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Occupational Therapy | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 11241[84] | Unknown | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Optometry | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 8050[85] | Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists, Inc. (IPAO) | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Pharmacy | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 10918[86] | Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. (PPHA)[87] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Physical Therapy | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 5680[88] | Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc. (PPTA)[89] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Radiologic Technology | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 7431[90] | Philippine Association of Radiologic Technologists (PART) | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Respiratory Therapy | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 10024[91] | Association of Respiratory Care Practitioners, Philippines, Inc. (ARCPP) | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Speech-Language Pathology | Health Sciences | Republic Act No. 11249[92] | Philippine Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (PASP)[93] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Chemistry | Natural Sciences | Republic Act No. 10657[94] | Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP)[95] | Council for the Built and Natural Environments |
| Environmental Planning | Natural Sciences | Republic Act No. 10587[96] | Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP)[97] | Council for the Built and Natural Environments |
| Fisheries | Natural Sciences | Republic Act No. 8550[98] PRC Resolution No. 2000-664[99] Republic Act No. 11398[100] |
Philippine Society of Fisheries, Inc. (PSF) | Council of Business and Management Professionals |
| Food Technology | Natural Sciences | Republic Act No. 11052[101] | Unknown | Unknown |
| Foresters | Natural Sciences | Republic Act No. 10690[102] | Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc. (SFF) | Council for the Built and Natural Environments |
| Geology | Natural Sciences | Republic Act No. 10166[103] | Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP)[104] | Council for the Built and Natural Environments |
| Veterinary Medicine | Natural Sciences | Republic Act No. 9268[105] | Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA)[106] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Customs Brokers | Public Administration | Republic Act No. 9280[107] | Chamber of Customs Brokers (CCB)[108] | Council of Business and Management Professionals |
| Criminology | Social Sciences | Republic Act No. 6506[109] Republic Act No. 11131[110] |
Professional Criminologist Association of the Philippines (PCAP)[111] | Council of Business and Management Professionals |
| Guidance and Counseling | Social Sciences | Republic Act No. 9258[112] | Philippine Guidance Counseling Association, Inc. (PGCA) | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Psychology | Social Sciences | Republic Act No. 10029[113] | Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP)[114] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
| Social Workers | Social Sciences | Republic Act No. 4373[115] | Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI)[116] | Council of Professional Health Associations |
Outstanding Professional of the Year Awards (OPYA)
The Outstanding Professional of the Year Award is the highest distinction conferred by the Commission upon a registered professional. It was first established in 1997,[117] and annually awards outstanding professionals in field clusters:[118]
- Business, Education and Social
- Engineering
- Health and allied
- Technology
Notable recipients of awards include Josefa Jara Martinez (Social Worker of the Year, 1978).[119]
