Press Release
June 14, 2015

Trillanes pushes for continuing professional development as ASEAN integration nears

Recognizing the importance of improving the competence of Filipino professionals, especially as the country gears towards ASEAN integration, Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV sponsored Senate Bill No. 2581, known as the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act of 2015.

"The impending implementation of ASEAN integration provides Filipinos with plenty of opportunities. We need to ensure that our professionals can face the challenging world ahead, with competency at par with the standards of other ASEAN member countries and in line with the standards set forth in the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF), the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) and the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs)," Trillanes, chairman of the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, explained.

Trillanes added, "We can do this by instituting a framework for the continuing education and skills enhancement of our professionals. Through this bill, we can provide our professionals with the necessary tools, not only to compete, but also to seize the opportunities ASEAN integration may provide us."

As defined in the bill, CPD is "the post-licensure practice of inculcating skills, knowledge and ethical values upon all professionals through various methods such as formal learning, informal learning, self-directed learning, on-line learning activities, and accredited professional work experience."

Under this measure, CPD programs will be implemented in each of the regulated professions. It will be mandatory for the renewal of the Professional Identification Cards of all registered and licensed professionals under the regulation of the Professional Regulation Commission. Further, a CPD Council shall be created in each of the regulated professions to comprehensively monitor and supervise the efficiency and progress of the CPD programs for their respective profession.

All government agencies, and private firms and organizations employing professionals will be required to include CPD as part of their human resource development plan and program.

"In the end, our kababayans will benefit from a more competent and skilled professionals: our bridges will be stronger through our well-trained engineers; quality and timely health care will be available for our patients through our highly-skilled doctors, nurses and pharmacists; among other benefits. Thus, I urge my colleagues to pass this measure before the ASEAN integration is fully implemented," added Trillanes.

Aside from this measure, Trillanes has sponsored several bills, updating professional regulatory laws, such as the Philippine Pharmacy law, Nutrition and Dietetics law, Chemistry law, and the Comprehensive Nursing law.

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