If you are a Filipino professional, you might be familiar with the hassle of renewing your professional identification card (ID) and certificate of registration every three years. You have to book an appointment online, pay the fees, submit the required documents, and wait for your new ID to be issued. Sometimes, you might encounter technical problems, long queues, or delays in the process.
But soon, you will have one less thing to worry about. A new law, approved by the House of Representatives, will extend the validity of your professional ID and certificate of registration to five years. This means that you will only have to renew your credentials once every five years, instead of three.
The new law, House Bill 9764, aims to ease the burden on Filipino professionals and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the agency that regulates and licenses various professions in the country. The bill was passed on the third and final reading with 234 lawmakers voting in favor, none against, and none abstaining.
According to the authors of the bill, the longer validity period will have several benefits for both the professionals and the PRC. For the professionals, it will:
- Save time and money. You will not have to spend as much time and money on the renewal process, which can be inconvenient and costly. You will also have more time to focus on your work and professional development.
- Reduce stress and anxiety. You will not have to worry about missing deadlines, losing your ID, or facing penalties for late renewal. You will also have more peace of mind knowing that your credentials are valid for a longer period.
- Improve efficiency and effectiveness. You will be able to practice your profession with more confidence and competence, as you will have less distractions and interruptions from the renewal process. You will also have more opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge through continuing professional development programs.
For the PRC, it will:
- Streamline the appointment system. The PRC will be able to manage the demand for appointments better, as there will be fewer professionals renewing their IDs every year. This will reduce the congestion and backlog in the system, and improve the quality of service.
- Optimize the resources and personnel. The PRC will be able to allocate its resources and personnel more efficiently, as there will be less workload and pressure on the staff. This will also allow the PRC to focus on other aspects of its mandate, such as regulating the standards and ethics of the professions, conducting examinations, and issuing licenses.
- Enhance the image and reputation. The PRC will be able to boost its image and reputation as a reliable and responsive agency, as it will be able to deliver its services faster and smoother. This will also increase the trust and satisfaction of the professionals and the public.
The new law is expected to take effect soon, as it only needs the approval of the Senate and the signature of the President. Once implemented, it will cover all the professionals under the PRC, which include engineers, architects, teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, accountants, and many others.
If you are one of them, you can look forward to a more convenient and hassle-free renewal process in the future. You can also take advantage of the longer validity period to pursue your career goals and aspirations. With the new law, you can be a proud and productive Filipino professional.