Last 2016, the sector of working professionals was shaken up when a new Philippine legislation was enacted courtesy of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Senate Bill 2581 quietly lapsed into a law without the signature of then President Benigno Aquino III and is now known as Republic Act No. 10912 or the CPD Law - An Act Mandating and Strengthening the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for all regulated professions.
It requires all licensed professionals to undergo trainings and seminars before they can renew their licenses in order to improve their competencies, further the quality of services and be at par with regional counterparts in line with Asean integration.
The objectives of the said legislation are noble however, its implementation puts a great toll to the already tax burdened middle-class working professionals. An implementing agency has been created and the PRC has already announced the number of required units per profession. Yet, the government has not even lifted a finger to assist working professionals on how to earn the mandatory units, be it in the form of scholarship grants or government-sponsored trainings and seminars. Basically, the professionals are left on their own where to scout and raise the necessary funds to attend such professional continuing courses.
Clearly, those who will largely benefit from this law are the capitalists who will venture as training providers.
We urge all professionals to take a stand on this matter. Let our concerns be heard by sharing this article and posting the #notoCPDlaw #repealRA10912 as your status on social media.
- [Opinion post by guest contributor on DepedSHS.blogspot.com]
