MANILA — In a move expected to benefit over a million Filipino professionals, the House of Representatives has approved on its second reading a bill extending the validity of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) license IDs from three to five years.
The bill, deemed non-controversial, is anticipated to receive smooth sailing and full support in both chambers of Congress.
The extension of the PRC license ID’s validity period aligns with the Ease of Doing Business and Anti-Red Tape Law, aiming to streamline processes for professionals registering and renewing their licenses. With approximately one million professionals renewing annually, this move is poised to significantly impact their lives and that of their families.
Rep. Joey Salceda, the bill’s proponent, expressed optimism for its swift approval in the Senate, projecting potential passage by May, contingent upon Senate workload and agenda. He emphasized coordination with Senate leaders to ensure timely deliberation.
Amid cybersecurity concerns, Salceda urged the PRC and Civil Service Commission (CSC) to bolster internet portal security to safeguard against potential breaches. He advocated for secure electronic interfaces between PRC and CSC databases and those of other key agencies like PhilSys National ID, SSS, GSIS, PAG-IBIG, BIR, and PhilHealth.
In parallel efforts, discussions on regulating the psychology and audiology professions progressed in a joint public hearing led by the House Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation and the Committee on Health.
Technical working groups were established to refine substitute bills for the Philippine Psychology Act of 2009 and regulations governing audiology and audiometry practices.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing mental health challenges, Rep. Anna York P. Bondoc’s House Bill 9611 proposes expanding the role of psychometricians in mental health service delivery.
Bondoc stressed the need to capitalize on the significant number of licensed psychometricians to bolster mental health services, especially amid the pandemic’s impact.
Moreover, the bill seeks to rename psychometricians as “associate registered psychologists,” emphasizing their supportive role to registered psychologists and psychiatrists. While delineating areas of distinction, the bill empowers associate registered psychologists to undertake specified roles autonomously, underscoring their complementary function within the mental health sector.
As discussions on these bills advance, stakeholders anticipate broader access to mental health and audiological services, addressing critical gaps in these essential areas of healthcare provision.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — In a promising development for Filipino professionals, a substitute bill aimed at extending the validity of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) license ID from three years to five years is poised for smooth sailing and full support among members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
This bill, deemed non-controversial, carries significant implications for the lives of countless professionals and their families across the nation.
The proposed extension, set to directly benefit approximately one million professionals who register and renew with the PRC annually, aligns seamlessly with the principles of the Ease of Doing Business and Anti-Red Tape Law.
By streamlining the renewal process and reducing administrative burdens, this move promises to enhance efficiency and convenience for professionals while fostering a more conducive environment for economic growth.
Optimism surrounds the timeline for Senate approval, with hopes pinned on a favorable outcome by May of this year. However, the pace of progress hinges on the Senate’s agenda and workload, given the limited number of session days ahead.
Close coordination with key figures such as Senate majority leader Sen. Joel Villanueva and Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., who serves as the counterpart in the Senate, will be instrumental in navigating the legislative landscape.
In tandem with efforts to extend the validity of PRC license IDs, attention remains focused on advancing legislative reforms to modernize outdated professional board laws.
With some laws dating back over three decades, the imperative for updates and upgrades is clear, underscoring the ongoing commitment to ensuring the relevance and effectiveness of regulatory frameworks in the 21st century.
Against the backdrop of evolving cybersecurity threats, a call to action resonates for bolstering the resilience of PRC and Civil Service Commission (CSC) internet portals and databases against hackers and cybercriminals.
Emphasizing the need for secure electronic interfaces with key national databases, including the PhilSys National ID, SSS, GSIS, PAG-IBIG, BIR, and PhilHealth, underscores a proactive stance in safeguarding sensitive information and critical infrastructure.
Looking ahead, a strategic focus on expanding the pool of certified cybersecurity professionals emerges as a priority. With only a limited number of certified experts currently in the country, urgent steps are warranted to scale up training and certification programs, thereby fortifying defenses against cyber threats and bolstering national cybersecurity resilience.
Harnessing the latest technologies and platforms, both for examination administration and professional development, stands as a cornerstone of enhancing the efficacy and relevance of PRC and CSC operations.
From online seminars to real-time monitoring of professional practices, leveraging technological advancements holds the key to driving meaningful progress and ensuring the continued competence and integrity of Filipino professionals and civil servants alike.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — The ongoing deliberations within the House Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation have reignited discussions surrounding the representation of licensed professional teachers (LPTs) within the licensure board.
The central issue revolves around the absence of an integrated professional organization to advocate for the profession’s interests, a recurrent hurdle that often impedes legislative progress due to organizational fragmentation and pride-driven politics.
In response to this longstanding challenge, discussions during the hearings on House Bill 8559, which seeks to amend the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994, have introduced two potential models for consideration: the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the associations within the University of the Philippines (UP) system encompassing faculty, student councils, and non-teaching staff.
Drawing inspiration from the success of the IBP, established by Republic Act 6397 in September 1971, proponents advocate for a similar integrated model for the teaching profession and other fields. RA 6397 empowered the Supreme Court to establish the IBP, resulting in a singular and influential entity that unifies various legal organizations under its umbrella.
Under the proposed framework outlined in HB 8559, the House committee aims to compel all associations and organizations representing professional teachers to form an Integrated Professional Teachers Organization.
Within this structure, presidents of member groups would nominate candidates to represent them on the professional board of teachers, streamlining the selection process and enhancing representation.
This approach diverges from the current practice, wherein the Professional Regulation Commission selects representatives from among numerous accredited organizations and associations. By adopting the IBP model, proponents anticipate greater cohesion and efficacy in advocating for the interests of professional teachers.
Addressing concerns about attracting top talent to the teaching profession, proponents advocate for non-fiscal incentives and increased Tertiary Education Subsidy allocations for students enrolled in teacher education colleges.
This strategy aims to elevate the prestige and desirability of teaching as a career path, thereby enhancing the quality of individuals entering the profession.
While acknowledging the importance of rigorous licensure standards, proponents emphasize the need to bolster the quality of aspiring teachers entering the system, underscoring the role of incentives and support mechanisms in achieving this objective.
In collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), proponents seek to leverage existing powers and funding mechanisms to implement these initiatives effectively, ensuring alignment with broader efforts to enhance the quality of education in the Philippines.
As discussions continue within the House committee, stakeholders remain optimistic about the potential of the IBP-inspired model to foster greater unity, representation, and excellence within the teaching profession and beyond.
The pursuit of integrated and effective governance structures reflects a commitment to advancing the interests of professionals and promoting the highest standards of service and professionalism.
(el Amigo/MNM)
Ni Liza Soriano
MANILA — Hindi umano dadalo ang mga miyembro ng House of Representatives (HOR) sa imbestigasyon ng Senado sa people’s initiative para amyendahan ang Saligang Batas, ayon sa isang ranking leader ng Kamara.
“While we appreciate Senator Marcos’ open invitation to the Senate probe, it seems we in the House have our hands full crafting legislation aimed at enhancing the lives of our fellow Filipinos. It’s a demanding task, but someone’s got to do it,” sabi ni House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe.
“Perhaps while we focus on building bridges, others seem more inclined to hunt for witches. But rest assured, should our legislative schedule allow, we’d be more than willing to engage in fruitful discussions, preferably ones that construct, not deconstruct, our collective efforts for national progress,” dagdag pa niya.
Sa ilalim ng inisyatiba, magkakasamang boboto ang mga senador at kongresista sa mga panukalang charter change, sa halip na magkahiwalay bilang dalawang kapulungan ng Kongreso.
Ang magkasanib na pagboto ay mangangahulugan na ang 24 na miyembro ng Senado ay hihigit sa bilang ng mahigit 300 mambabatas ng HOR.
(el Amigo/MNM)
THE House of Representatives adopted a resolution strongly condemning the Sunday bombing of a Catholic mass celebration by students of the Mindanao State University in Marawi, emphasizing the urgency to expedite the investigation and subsequent prosecution of the perpetrators of the crime.
Lawmakers passed House Resolution No. 1504 introduced by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Jude Acidre, and Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong.
“The House of Representatives condemns this act of violence perpetrated against innocent students and undertaken in a place of learning. I condole with the families of those who died and sympathize with those injured in the blast,” Romualdez said.
On December 3, 2023, a powerful explosion ripped through the Dimaporo Gymnasium in MSU that instantly claimed four lives and severely injured many people, particularly students.
The resolution described the event as an extremely disturbing, appalling and tragic event which occurred in a place of learning and fellowship and during Sunday service, jeopardizing the peace process the Government has initiated in Mindanao, and disrupting the peace and security of the communities in the region.
“It was reported that the terrorist attack happened after military actions against local terrorist groups in the region resulted to the death of a group leader of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute group, a group linked to the ISIS that previously attempted to establish Marawi as part of the caliphate resulting in a five-month conflict causing numerous casualties in 2017,” the resolution read.
“There is an urgent need for a thorough investigation of this incident by the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and all government agencies concerned, to determine the perpetrators of these senseless and horrific killings,” it added.
The bigger chamber expressed its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims, and is committed to support the affected residents to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice.
“Acts of lawlessness, violence and terroristic activities, resulting to violent killings especially of innocent people, destruction of property, and disruption of public order and safety should never be tolerated, and have to be suppressed and eradicated in order to promote lasting peace and prosperity in Mindanao,” the resolution said.
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — With the filing of resolutions at the House of Representatives calling for the government to cooperate with the International Criminal Courts’s investigation on the “bloody drug war” during the previous Rodrigo Roa Duterte administration that human rights groups claim to have killed 30,000 people, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said the Philippines was studying a possible return to the ICC.
It can be recalled that on 21 July 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the government remains obliged to cooperate in criminal proceedings of the International Criminal Court even if it has withdrawn from the Rome Statute – the treaty that formed the ICC.
“Should we return under the fold of the ICC? So that is again under study. So we’ll just keep looking at it and see what our options are,” the President told reporters.
He added that the resolutions at the House of Representatives were “not unusual.”
The lower chamber is under the leadership of his cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G Romualdez who was recently “snubbed” by Vice President Sara Duterte who claimed she did not notice the Speaker when she met the Philippine delegation at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
Speaker Romualdez stands around six feet tall and is hard not to notice his commanding presence.
“They (lawmakers) are just expressing or manifesting the sense of the House that perhaps it is time to allow or to cooperate with the ICC investigations,” Marcos said.
On Tuesday, November 20, pro-administration National Unity Party (NUP) Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. filed a resolution urging the Marcos Jr. administration to coordinate with the ICC probe.
Last October, a similar resolution was filed by Makabayan bloc lawmakers France Castro of the ACT Teachers Party-list, Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela Party-list, and Raoul Manuel of the Kabataan Party-list.
The Philippines under the Duterte administration pulled out of the ICC in 2019, some three years before the drug war inquiry was resumed.
“If you are talking about the jurisdiction of the ICC, especially since we have withdrawn from the Rome Statute a few years back, that brings into question whether or not this is actually possible,” Marcos Jr. said.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In a joint effort to enhance road safety and fortify the integrity of the vehicle registration system, the House of Representatives and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have officially agreed to apprehend drivers utilizing protocol plates bearing the number ‘8.’
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, following a meeting with MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes announced the collaborative initiative to confiscate expired or spurious plates.
Velasco emphasized the importance of curbing the use of unauthorized special plates, citing their threat to public safety and the potential compromise of the vehicle registration system’s integrity.
In line with this commitment, Velasco previously issued a memorandum mandating the surrender of all old ‘8’ plates, clarifying that no lawmakers in the 19th Congress have been issued such protocol plates.
“The House leadership remains steadfast in upholding the law and ensuring the proper and lawful use of vehicle identification plates,” Velasco stated.
The objective is to eradicate spurious, expired, and fake plates before issuing new ones. The ‘8’ car plate is specifically reserved for vehicles belonging to members of the House.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
Led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the House of Representatives has made the right move as six (6) out of 10 Filipinos approved the move of the lower chamber to reallocate the confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) of civilian agencies to agencies tasked to safeguard the country’s security and sovereignty.
This was revealed in a survey by OCTA Research during the period a few days after the House of Representatives passed on third reading House Bill 8980, or the “2024 General Appropriations Bill,” where it was revealed that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), headed by VP Sara Duterte as its concurrent Secretary, had CIF allocated in their budget.
Administration ally Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo revealed that the OVP spent its P125 million CIF in just 11 days in 2022 and not 19 days as originally reported.
In its third quarter Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 this year, 57 percent of respondents agreed with the decision of the House leadership to realign the confidential funds to agencies directly tasked to safeguard the country’s security and sovereignty.
Support for the lower chamber’s move was highest in Balance Luzon at 75 percent, followed by the National Capital Region at 65 percent, Visayas at 24 percent, and Mindanao at 24 percent.
Only 14 percent disagreed with the HOR’s decision, while 29 percent “did not know” or refused to answer.
Notably, the so-called “intelligencia” class appears more politically aware as 72 percent of socioeconomic class ABC agreed with the realignment of CIF. In comparison, 56 percent and 54 percent of Class D and E agreed to the realignment, respectively.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
Majority Leader and Representative of the Second District of Zamboanga City, Manuel Jose Dalipe, moved to send the proposed 2024 national budget to the Senate on Saturday.
This move took place during a plenary session originally intended to welcome the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“Mr. Speaker, I propose that we immediately transmit House Bill No. 8980 and the resolutions we have adopted to the Senate,” Dalipe announced.
House Bill No. 8980 contains the General Appropriations Bill, which was approved with amendments by a small committee. However, it saw a reallocation of P194 billion, including the P1.23 billion designated for confidential funds.
Five government agencies received zero funding for their confidential fund requests.
These are the Office of the Vice President, the Department of Education, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The regular session is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 6.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
AMID COUP RUMORS at the House of Representatives, the National Unity Party (NUP) has expressed strong support for Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, citing his “decisive, result-oriented leadership” that has transformed the lower chamber into a pivotal partner of the Marcos administration in its effort to sustain the country’s economic growth.
There have been persistent but unconfirmed rumors that some lawmakers loyal to Vice President Sara Duterte will oust Romualdez from the speakership and impeach President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Because of his (Romualdez’s) decisive, result-oriented leadership, Speaker Martin (Romualdez) has managed to shepherd through the 300-plus strong House this early the final approval of all of the President’s priority bills for the year—three months ahead of schedule,” NUP president LRay Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte who represents the 2nd district of Camarines Sur was joined by fellow Biocolano lawmakers Camarines Sur Representatives Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata in airing their strong and continued support for Romualdez.
Rep. Migz Villafuerte pointed out that “the House has certainly been a highly productive legislative chamber on Romualdez’s watch, crafting a substantial number of social protection measures in support of the commitment of President Marcos not to leave any Filipino behind in his Administration’s quest for a peaceful and prosperous nation.”
For his part, Horibata said that under Romualdez’s leadership, “the bigger chamber has likewise passed a substantial number of measures meant to further stimulate the economy post-pandemic, and create more jobs and livelihood opportunities in step with the Marcos administration’s goal of inclusive high growth.”
It can be recalled that the House under Romualdez’s leadership has been looking for ways to fast-track the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
With this goal, the congressmen stripped VP Duterte of her 2024 confidential funds totaling P650 million and realigned them to civilian agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and other agencies dealing with West Philippine Sea (WPS) concerns.
Maharlika NuMedia learned that the NUP was among the political parties that supported the realignment of the confidential funds.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
The House of Representatives panel has cited in contempt on Monday former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) employee Jeff Tumbado.
Tumbado earlier accused suspended LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz of being involved in corruption.
After Tumbado repeatedly said that he had no personal knowledge of the alleged corruption, Sagip party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta made the motion and cited him in contempt during the hearing of the House Committee on Transportation.
Tumbado said that it was “only his opinion.”
“I don’t have direct evidence. Dahil lang po ito sa mga sumbong sa akin ng mga operators na sobrang taas ng hinihingi [na pera] para sa provisional authority,” he added.
Marcoleta then said that Tumbado only wasted the time of the lawmakers.
“Wala kaming panahon para sa iyo. Sinayang mo ang oras ng mga kongresista na nagpunta rito,” Marcoleta said.
“We cannot rely on the answers of this resource person,” he added.
The Committee possesses the authority to take action against a witness in cases where the witness disobeys any directive issued by the Committee, refuses to take an oath, declines to provide testimony, or avoids responding to appropriate inquiries posed by the Committee or its members.
Such actions may include the punishment for contempt, provided that a majority of all the Committee’s members support this decision, especially when a witness testifies falsely or evasively.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
Lawmakers from the House of Representatives slammed Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr. over his “nasty tweet” pertaining to Palestinian children amid the bloody Israel-Hamas conflict.
Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said that there is no room in Philippine society for such a post on social media especially coming from a government official like Locsin.
“Under no circumstance is the killing of Palestinian children justified, and it is no laughing matter when more than a thousand Palestinian children have lost their lives in Gaza within this past week alone,” Adiong said.
“May your (Locsin) statement land on deaf ears. It is unbecoming for any Filipino, much more a high official, to visit genocidal machinations upon innocent children of any nation. An ambassador who is tasked to represent the best of our nation, a defender of our nation’s interests, must espouse our nation’s commitment to peace and humanity,” the lawmaker added.
Locsin earlier tweeted: “That’s why Palestinian children should be killed; they might grow up to be gullible as innocent Palestinians letting Hamas launch rockets at Israel; not that they could stop them but that’s no excuse. They are Muslims. They could stage mass suicide attacks against Hamas until the latter ran out of bullets.”
The tweet on “X” (formerly Twitter) was already deleted and Locsin has apologized for his statement.
But the damage has been done.
Meanwhile, Kabayan party-list Representative Ron Salo said that Locsin’s act was highly irresponsible.
“While Ambassador Locsin has apologized and stated it was a ‘sarcastic response,’ his social media post may be perceived as the official stand of the Philippine government,” Salo said.
“Worse, it jeopardizes our Filipino diplomats particularly in the Middle East who may be perceived as sharing his opinion,” he added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has clarified that the statement of Locsin was personal and the former disassociated itself from the latter.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines completely disassociates itself from the statement made on Twitter by Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. Such statement was made in his strictly personal capacity,” DFA said.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
THE House of Representatives pushes for an additional budget for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for 2024 due to incessant cybersecurity attacks.
House Committee on Appropriations chairperson Elizaldy Co of Ako-Bicol party-list issued the statement after issues of hacking of the databases in government agencies such as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine National Police, Philippine Statistics Office and now the House of Representatives.
“We recognize the dire need of the DICT for resources to fight cybercrime and ransomware attacks. We will work with our colleagues in the Senate to look for more sources of funds for the DICT,” Co said.
“For the continuing ransomware attacks, we convey to the Department of Budget and Management the urgent need for additional funds for the DICT and for government agencies being attacked and vulnerable to cyberattack,” the lawmaker added.
The proposed budget of DICT for 2024 is P8.729 billion.
DICT was among the agencies whose confidential funds were removed.
Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy said that it will appeal to Congress to grant the P300 million confidential funds.
Earlier, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said that DICT does not need confidential funds, saying that the department can tap cybersecurity experts of the National Bureau of Investigation for surveillance needs.
“We should maintain the zero allocation and…they can avail of the expert services of agencies who have their own confidential and intelligence funds,” said Lagamn in a report.
(ai/mnm)
By Dang Samson Garcia
THE House of Representatives completed the plenary scrutiny and debates on the proposed budgets of the State Universities and Colleges and the Commission on Higher Education for fiscal year 2024, amounting to P100.88-billion and P30-billion, respectively.
House Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairperson Rep. Janette Garin sponsored the CHED’s budget proposal, while Vice Chaipersons Rep. Francisco Matugas II, Raul Angelo Bongalon and Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy defended SUCs’ proposed appropriation.
Matugas said the SUCs’ P100.88-billion proposed budget is five percent less than the 2023 appropriation of P107.03-billion.
During interpellation, 4Ps Partylist Rep. JC Abalos said of the 117 SUCs in the country, 30 will receive lesser funding next year.
Matugas confirmed 30 SUCs will indeed get lower budgets in the range of 27 percent or a total amount of P11.45-billion.
“The budget of all our SUCs in the country was given by DBM, so iyung DBM po ang nag cut ng budgets nila. One of the reasons given by DBM is iyung mga Capital Outlay last year ay natapos na. Those that have been submitted for 2024 ay hindi po siya implementable kaagad. That’s why iyung decrease na malaki sa SUCs budget ay makikita po natin sa CO more than 60 percent, from P14-billion ginawa na lang P5 billion,” he explained.
Abalos also manifested there have been continuous cuts in the SUCs budget over the past two years.
“This can be attributed to the cost-cutting measures in place that are meant to save resources intended for education. However, budget cuts should be done with circumspect and due diligence since there is a widespread sentiment that most SUCs these days seem to be needing more funding to support their development just as the upgrading of facilities and additional support for the faculty and staff, as well as resources for research and development,” Abalos said.
Bongalon, meanwhile, noted 1.85 million students are currently enrolled in SUCs compared to 1.8 million in 2022.
Garin said total appropriation for CHED for 2024 is P30-billion and most of the funding totaling P29.7-billion or 95.8 percent will be new appropriation, the remaining 4.2 percent will come from automatic appropriation under the Higher Education Development Fund.
“Despite CHED’s relatively modest budget of P30-billion, it is crucial that we acknowledge the CHED’s vital role in shaping the future of our nation,” Garin said.
Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel said CHED can still expand the enrollees’ slots n SUCs.
“Tingin natin para mas maayos ang paggamit ng government funds to help our students, I think iyung mga pondo na napupunta doon sa malalaking private schools, mas efficient sana na magamit ito sa ating SUCs,” he said.
Garin explained there are situations where no SUCs or local universities and colleges are available in certain areas and that’s actually where the government has to come in because the availability of higher educational institutions is a problem.
By Dang Samson Garcia
THE House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the proposed law institutionalizing the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program.
With 251 affirmative votes, the lawmakers approved House Bill 9015 or a measure that would allow undergraduate professionals to get a bachelor’s degree.
“The ETEEAP refers to the alternative education program in the Philippines that allows working professionals who were either unable to finish their college education or were completely unable to advance into college for different reasons to earn a bachelor’s degree without going through the traditional schooling method,” House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said.
Romualdez said the program was introduced in 1996 through Executive Order 330, signed by the late President Fidel Ramos.
The bill aims to strengthen the system of academic equivalency and accreditation at the college level, including the validation of the knowledge and expertise derived by senior high school graduates, post-secondary technical-vocational graduates, and college undergraduate students from relevant work experiences and high-level, nonformal training in order to harness their full potentials.
HB 9015 defines the program as an equivalency and accreditation pathway for obtaining a college degree for senior high school graduates, post-secondary technical-vocational graduates, and college undergraduates who have become professionals with an aggregate of five or more years of work experience.
The knowledge, experiences, achievements, and skills obtained by the undergraduates through their jobs shall be used to earn school credits that will be deducted from the total number of units or credits that they are required to earn before they graduate.
“Institutionalization of ETEEAP gives this laudable policy permanence, meaning more Filipino professionals will benefit from it in the coming years,” Romualdez said.
To qualify for the ETEEAP, an applicant must be a Filipino citizen, at least 23 years of age, with at least five years work experience.
The Commission on Higher Education shall be the lead agency in the implementation of the provisions of the proposed law.
By Dang Samson Garcia
THE House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill 9015 or the proposed Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program Act.
In his sponsorship speech, Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson and Baguio City Rep. Mark Go said that people with proven competency should have access to educational opportunities to realize their full potential and prepare for higher career paths.“
We all know that the acquisition of knowledge and skills does not only take place within the confines of the classroom,” he said.
The ETEEAP is an equivalency and accreditation pathway for obtaining a bachelor’s degree for high school graduates, postsecondary technical-vocational graduates, and college undergraduates with at least five years of professional experience.
Go said that institutionalizing the ETEEAP as an alternative learning program will allow workers, employees, professionals, and other undergraduate adults with acquired competencies to obtain a degree by recognizing their work experience, knowledge, abilities, and expertise as school credits.
HB 9015 was principally authored by TINGOG Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.