PRC suspends policy that bars teachers, professionals with unpaid debt in renewing licenses

That's quick.

Just three days--and on a weekend-- after it was raised by a party-list group representative, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) suspended its policy that bars teachers and other professionals with pending administrative cases arising from unpaid debts from getting their licenses renewed.

This was announced on Sunday, Sept. 11 by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Sec. Bienvenido E. Laguesma in response to the issue raised by ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro on Thursday's congressional deliberation of the DOLE budget.

PRC is an attached agency of DOLE.

PRC's Memorandum Order No. 44 is allegedly being used by loan sharks to harass teachers and force them to settle their debts at all costs.

It is not immediately clear why the PRC issued and implemented the memorandum.

But according to Laguesma, the policy is unfair as it places an undue burden on professionals with pending administrative cases.

“How can they pay what they borrow if they can’t work because the PRC won’t renew their licenses,” said Laguesma.

The suspension of the Memorandum Order No. 44 is contained in Resolution No. 1558 signed by PRC acting chairman Jose Cueto Jr. and commissioner Erwin Enad.

But Cueto said that while the policy is suspended, the PRC will be reviewing and conducting consultations with its various professional boards with the aim of promoting efficiency and fairness in its processes and disciplinary procedures.

Laguesma lauded the PRC for immediately responding to the issue, noting that this will provide not only teachers but also other professionals immediate relief.

While emphasizing that paying debts and professional discipline remain as paramount concerns, he also clarified that in reviewing its policy and disciplinary procedures, the PRC should focus its regulatory function on undesirable acts arising from the exercise of the professions.

"Every regulation should pass the test of reasonableness and should not be used to penalize professionals simply because of their socio-economic circumstances," said Laguesma.