Senate bill seeks to exempt OFWs from taking dev’t courses
Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid has called on the Senate to pass into law a bill that fully exempts qualified overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from taking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs in the Philippines.
In filing Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2349, Lapid sought to amend Republic Act No. 10192 or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016, which seeks to mandate all licensed professional workers, including OFWs to obtain CPD units and submit proof of compliance as prerequisite for the renewal of licenses.
Though OFWs are temporarily exempted from taking CPD by virtue of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Resolution No. 2019 – 1146, series of 2019, an enabling law is still necessary to institutionalize it, Lapid said.
Lapid said he recognizes the noble purpose of the act in promoting professional excellence but its application to OFWs is highly impractical and burdensome.
“Kaisa po ako ng ating mga OFW na hindi na kailangan pang i-require o obligahin na mag-comply sa CPD act sa panahon po ng kanilang pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa (I am with our OFWs who no longer need to be required or obliged to comply with the CPD act during their work abroad),” Lapid said.
“Hindi ito makatarungan, magastos at nanghihingi ito malaking sakripisyo mula sa ating mga modernong bayani natin na malayo sa kanilang pamilya at nakikipag-sapalaran sa ibang bansa (It's not fair, it's costly and it demands great sacrifice from our modern heroes who are away from their families and taking risks in other countries),” he insisted.
According to the senator, the CPD law failed to recognize the "unique circumstances" of OFWs.
The senator explained the amount of money OFWs need to shell out to attend CPD seminars, workshops, or training programs, is a financial burden for OFWs who must cover their own travel expenses and forego income during their short visits.
"Kaya hinihiling ko sa ating Senado na agarang ipasa ang inakda kong Senate Bill No. 2349 na mag exempt sa mga OFW na nasa abroad na kumuha ng CPD seminars, workshops o training programs sa panahon ng kanilang pagta-trabaho sa ibang bansa (That is why, I am asking our Senate to immediately pass Senate Bill No. 2349 to exempt OFWs abroad who take CPD seminars, workshops or training programs during their employment abroad),” he said.
“Sa ganitong paraan, maipararamdam sa kanila ang taus-puso nating pagkilala sa sakripisyo at mahalagang papel na kanilang ginagampanan upang maiahon ang buhay ng kanilang mga pamilya, gayundin ang malaking ambag nila sa ekonomiya ng bansa (In this way, we can make them feel our heartfelt recognition of the sacrifice and important role they play to improve the lives of their families, as well as their great contribution to the country's economy," Lapid said.
Likewise, the lawmaker urged the PRC to establish a CPD Compliance Program for Filipino professionals who were previously exempted from the law and want to continue working in the Philippines.