July 01, 2024 - The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced the removal of several testing centers for the upcoming July 2024 Licensure Examination for Criminologists (LEC). This decision may impact hundreds of aspiring criminologists who had previously registered to take the exam in these locations.
Affected Locations:
- Bayambang, Pangasinan: Located in the western Pangasinan province, Bayambang has historically served as a testing center for various PRC licensure exams, catering to examinees from nearby towns and municipalities.
- Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur: These neighboring provinces in northwestern Luzon have a significant number of criminology graduates. Removing them as testing centers might cause travel inconveniences for examinees who now need to find alternative locations further away.
- Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (note: the announcement mentioned Calapan but it's likely a mistake and meant Occidental Mindoro): This is likely a miscommunication, as Calapan is the capital of Oriental Mindoro. PRC most likely intended to remove Occidental Mindoro, a separate province located on the island's western side. Occidental Mindoro has a growing criminology student population, and this change may affect their testing arrangements.
Reason for Removals Unknown
The PRC announcement did not specify the reason for removing these testing centers. Possible explanations include:
- Insufficient testing facilities: The designated testing centers might not have met the PRC's standards in terms of space, security, or logistics to accommodate a large number of examinees.
- Logistical challenges: The PRC might have encountered difficulties in managing exam logistics in these locations, such as transporting exam materials or coordinating with local authorities.
- Low number of examinees: In some cases, the PRC may decide to remove testing centers with a historically low number of registered examinees to streamline operations and resource allocation.
Examinees Advised to Contact PRC
The PRC encourages all examinees scheduled to take the LEC in the affected areas to contact their office for further guidance. This may involve re-registering for a different testing center or making alternative travel arrangements.
How to Stay Updated
The PRC offers several ways for aspiring criminologists to stay updated on the LEC:
- PRC Website: The official PRC website (https://www.prc.gov.ph/) provides the latest announcements, schedules, and important information regarding the LEC.
- PRC Social Media: The PRC maintains active social media accounts on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/professionalregulationcommission/) and Twitter (https://www.prc.gov.ph/article/prc-official-facebook-page-and-twitter-account/2179). Following these accounts allows for real-time updates and easy access to important announcements.
It's important for examinees to stay informed and take necessary actions to ensure they can smoothly participate in the July 2024 LEC.